Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Buckingham, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers into the strands as they grow. A sample collected near the scalp can provide a detection period of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil width) is necessary to obtain 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and over 10-panel tests, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the same amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. It involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional details not present in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary examination for substance use. It is a cost-effective means to rule out drug use for most samples, yet a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any sample showing presumptive positivity in Screening requires further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted at lower concentrations from hair than from other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair screening the most challenging method to perform.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for Confirmation of any positive screening result. Any sample flagged as presumptively positive is washed before confirmation, if necessary. The laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to alter results: It's very hard to manipulate a hair drug test, thus increasing accuracy.
• Historical perspective: It shows a pattern of substance use over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages in Buckingham, PA, compared to traditional urine tests. Known for its superior detection accuracy and reliability, this testing method is becoming increasingly popular. It provides a more extended detection window, offering a clearer picture of an individual's substance history.

• Employers, courts, and other institutions are favoring this method due to its comprehensive results.
• The test's reliability and resistance to tampering make it a more trustworthy option.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Buckingham, PA provides a notable advantage. Capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days, it offers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug history, which is invaluable for employers making informed hiring decisions.

• The extended detection window provides crucial insights into long-term substance use.
• This method supports employers in maintaining a drug-free workplace by offering detailed drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Buckingham, PA, hair follicle testing is a preferred choice due to its tamper-resistant nature. Offering nearly foolproof reliability, this method significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring trust in the results provided.

• The collection method is highly monitored, reducing opportunities for interference.
• Its built-in resistance to tampering makes it greatly reliable for legal and employment purposes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides outstanding convenience through its extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including Buckingham, PA. This ensures accessible, quick, and hassle-free testing services, accommodating the needs of individuals and businesses alike.

• With local centers, testing becomes accessible, reducing logistical worries.
• The widespread availability streamlines the testing process for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Buckingham, PA, the testing process with Accredited Drug Testing is both simple and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns effectively, simplifying the steps from ordering to receiving results, which reassures those concerned about discretion.

• The process is straightforward, minimizing complexities in testing and results.
• Confidentiality is prioritized, ensuring client privacy is respected throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround, hair follicle testing in Buckingham, PA provides excellent value. This method not only promises competitive rates but also delivers quick results, making it an attractive option for companies of all sizes seeking reliability and speed.

• Competitive pricing structures cater to businesses of different scales.
• Fast turnaround enhances efficiency, supporting timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Buckingham, PA, hair follicle tests stand out for delivering fast and accurate results. This method ensures high precision in identifying substance use, providing reliable outcomes crucial for various stakeholders. The effectiveness of such accuracy makes it a preferred choice for many, ensuring informed decision-making across different applications.

• The swift process ensures expedited outcomes, reducing waiting times significantly.
• It delivers unrivaled accuracy, pinpointing substance traces that other tests might miss.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Buckingham, PA, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing this method reduces legal risks and promotes a safe work environment, demonstrating an organization's commitment to its values.

• Ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, minimizing potential legal issues.
• Improves workplace safety by identifying drug use accurately.

Drug Testing Near Buckingham, PA

Churchville, PA

Neshaminy, PA

Chalfont, PA

Warminster, PA

Dublin, PA

Ivyland, PA

Richboro, PA

Newtown Grant, PA

Warrington, PA

New Britain, PA

New Hope, PA

Plumsteadville, PA

Doylestown, PA

Forest Grove, PA

Mechanicsville, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews