Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burgettstown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair follicle analysis is recognized as a reliable method for detecting substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a timeline of drug or alcohol use by incorporating biomarkers into its fibers as it grows. When hair is harvested close to the scalp, it allows for a detection period of up to around three months for substances such as alcohol and drugs. This method of collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (approximately equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) cut near to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the prime amount needed for testing and validation purposes. For EtG, extended panels, or analyses exceeding ten panels, it's suggested to utilize 150mg of hair. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for accurate specimen weighing. In instances where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equal quantity of body hair might be used. The reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (like facial or axillary hair).

Overview of the Procedure

The key steps in the laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures proper sample sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry that isn't included within an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid check for drug misuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive results require Confirmation for court validity. Samples that display presumptive positivity in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and processed for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations lower than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing presents the most challenging methodology.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is conducted following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug analysis can trace drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter window.
• Difficult to deceive: Hair drug tests are highly resistant to tampering, therefore results are more trustworthy.
• Tracks usage history: It reveals a timeline of drug intake over a prolonged period rather than only recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapacity to detect current use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become evident in hair.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other testing approaches.
• Fluctuations in outcomes: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be influenced by variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination assesses the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Burgettstown, PA, hair follicle testing presents a clear advantage over urine tests. By offering superior accuracy, hair analysis captures a broader spectrum of drug use, making it an ideal choice for comprehensive assessments.

Hair testing outperforms urine methods through its extended detection capabilities and heightened reliability. It offers a robust solution for employers prioritizing accuracy in substance testing.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Burgettstown, PA, provides a reliable method for assessing long-term drug use. Capable of detecting substance use up to 90 days, it delivers a thorough account of an individual's drug history.

This extended timeframe is invaluable for employers who need a detailed assessment of a candidate's substance use, enabling more informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Burgettstown, PA, significantly curb the chances of sample tampering. With their inherent resistance to alteration, these tests guarantee trustworthy and precise outcomes.

This robustness against adulteration ensures credible results, offering peace of mind to employers and regulatory bodies relying on accurate drug testing techniques.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Burgettstown, PA, accessing our services is straightforward. We ensure quick and practical solutions, simplifying the drug testing process for individuals and organizations alike.

Our extensive network ensures that testing is hassle-free and readily accessible, meeting the needs of clients across various locations efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Burgettstown, PA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and private. From ordering to results, every step is crafted to maintain confidentiality and ease, so you can focus on what's important.

By providing a simple yet secure procedure, we address privacy concerns head-on, ensuring users feel confident and at ease with their testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive rates and quick results, our hair follicle tests in Burgettstown, PA, deliver exceptional value for businesses. Our cost-effective pricing ensures companies of all sizes can benefit from reliable substance testing.

By combining affordability with swift processing, our services provide peace of mind and facilitate better financial planning for drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Burgettstown, PA, are unmatched. By providing accurate detection of substance use, these tests set a high standard, ensuring swift yet reliable results.

With rapid processing times and unparalleled accuracy, hair testing offers a dependable method for detecting drug use. Its advanced technology minimizes time delays, granting organizations the reliability they seek.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Burgettstown, PA, benefit greatly from the compliance and reassurance brought by hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug policies, it minimizes legal challenges and strengthens workplace safety.

Implementing this testing method fosters a culture of responsibility, providing a reliable tool to uphold a drug-free work environment that supports both business interests and employee welfare.

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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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