Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blossburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can encapsulate long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by retaining biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers. When sourced closely from the scalp, hair can provide a detection range up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hairs, comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness, nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, deemed perfect for both screening and confirmation. When conducting EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory steps for processing a drug test encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the sample's integration into the laboratory's system. This covers ensuring the sample's seal and correct shipping, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. It is a cost-efficient approach to negate drug usage in the majority of cases; however, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed for court validity. Any samples with preliminary positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening, extra hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is particularly challenging.

Positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory pathway from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and aligns with the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing reveals drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine testing offers a shorter detection span.
• High difficulty in manipulation: It is notably hard to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result credibility.
• Chronological data provision: It offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapability of identifying recent use: Hair tests detect drug presence roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variation: Attributes like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being named "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Blossburg, PA, outshines traditional urine tests in numerous ways. This method offers superior accuracy in detection, which is unparalleled in its precision.

Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a broader detection window, making it a preferred choice for employers aiming for dependable results. Its reliability in identifying drug use makes it a valuable tool in workplace compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Blossburg, PA, offers a detection period of up to 90 days, allowing employers a thorough examination of an individual's drug history.

This extended window is beneficial for employers needing to assess substance use comprehensively. Having this depth of insight ensures informed hiring and monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Blossburg, PA, hair follicle testing is a robust method against sample tampering. The procedure’s stringent processes greatly reduce the chances of sample adulteration, assuring accuracy.

Employers trust hair tests for non-tamperable results, thus reinforcing the reliability and validity of the testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Blossburg, PA, our nationwide network of testing centers provides unmatched convenience and ease for quick access to hair drug testing services.

This widespread availability ensures seamless testing whether you're local or nationwide, offering efficient service without location constraints.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Blossburg, PA, is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease at every step.

From ordering to acquiring results, our streamlined procedure respects individual confidentiality, making the experience straightforward and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Blossburg, PA, our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround time provide value and reassurance to organizations seeking efficient substance testing.

We offer cost-effective solutions without compromising on the speed or reliability of our hair drug testing services, catering to companies of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Blossburg, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide swift and exact results. Designed for high precision, they are exemplary in detecting substance abuse reliably. The rapid return of findings ensures peace of mind for organizations seeking accuracy without delay.

Hair tests stand out for their efficiency in analysis and speed in result turnaround. This responsive testing method supports timely decision-making for employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle drug testing in Blossburg, PA, assists employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace mandates, minimizing legal risks.

By adopting hair testing, companies ensure safety and peace of mind through adherence to stringent drug policies and promoting a secure working environment.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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