Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Broad Top City, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly viewed as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair imply scalp hair alone. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

In the laboratory processing of a drug test result, the key steps are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab's system. This process entails checking that the sample was securely sealed and properly transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug usage on the majority of specimens, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Any samples that screen as presumptively positive require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for preparation during Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have a more limited detection window.
• Hard to deceive: It is highly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in more dependable outcomes.
• Supplies historical insights: It can reveal a sequence of drug use over time, rather than only recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Broad Top City, PA is due to superior detection periods and accuracy. While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests unveil a broader history of drug use.

Hair tests prove to be more reliable due to their resistance to tampering. Their extended detection capabilities offer employers peace of mind about a candidate's long-term sobriety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Broad Top City, PA provides employers with a comprehensive look into a person's drug history. Hair follicle tests can reveal drug use over a 90-day period.

Offering a wide window of detection, these tests enable Broad Top City businesses to gain a thorough understanding of potential/suspected substance abuse.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Broad Top City, PA provides peace of mind. Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risks associated with sample adulteration.

The method is nearly impossible to cheat, ensuring reliable results for those conducting drug use screenings in Broad Top City.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Broad Top City, PA make drug testing access quick and hassle-free. With numerous centers across the country, Accredited Drug Testing ensures you're never too far from a reliable test center.

This accessibility makes it easier for individuals and organizations to fulfill their testing obligations without undue delay in Broad Top City.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Broad Top City, PA ensures a stress-free experience. From ordering to receiving results, the entire process is designed for ease and confidentiality.

Addressing privacy concerns, hair follicle testing offers discrete services that ensure peace of mind for individuals and organizations alike in Broad Top City.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Broad Top City, PA highlights the value of our services. We offer competitive pricing structures suitable for organizations of all sizes.

Our quick turnaround times provide peace of mind. Companies in Broad Top City can rely on our services for efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Broad Top City, PA can give insights into substance use with impressive precision and speed. Hair follicle tests are renowned for delivering precise results swiftly, making them ideal for time-sensitive scenarios.

With high accuracy, hair tests ensure dependable outcomes. Their superior ability to detect substance use ensures Broad Top City employers receive reliable results promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Broad Top City, PA is ensured through hair follicle testing. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, employers can minimize legal risks.

This testing method enhances workplace safety by ensuring that policies are followed and that employers can feel confident in their adherence to legal standards.

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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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