Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bower Hill, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a formidable means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a lengthy record of alcohol and drug intake by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month period for spotting alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirming tests. For EtG tests, additional testing, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If head hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When we mention head hair, we exclusively refer to scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is entered into a laboratory’s system. It involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not completed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary quick test for illicit drug use. While Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive screen needs to be validated for legal acceptability. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the toughest method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that are presumptive positive undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Records past data: This method can chart drug use patterns over an extended timeline, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot pick up recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically costlier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variations like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bower Hill, PA, hair follicle testing is a preferred method over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and enhanced reliability. Greater detection times and increased dependability make it an optimal choice for employers and others needing stringent testing.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Bower Hill, PA, captures drug use over approximately 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, surpassing the capabilities of more traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Bower Hill, PA, ensures that sample adulteration risks are significantly minimized. This reliability delivers unquestionable results, making it a trusted option in various testing scenarios, enhancing confidence in outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefit from convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Bower Hill, PA, ensuring that access to testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free. The widespread availability of testing centers guarantees efficient service wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle drug test results in Bower Hill, PA, is straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns users may have about the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bower Hill, PA, enjoy affordable pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our competitive rates offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring fast and high-quality service delivery at every turn.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Bower Hill, PA, are synonymous with speed, accuracy, and reliability. These tests stand out for their ability to swiftly and precisely identify substance use, providing peace of mind with their dependable results. Quick results and high precision ensure that those requiring trustworthy testing services are well catered to.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Bower Hill, PA, supports compliance with drug-free workplace regulations, promoting peace of mind and workplace safety. Reducing legal risks and ensuring adherence to policies enhances employer confidence and employee safety.

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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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