Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burlington, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for uncovering alcohol and drug consumption. Hair encapsulates a lengthy history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. A sample collected near the scalp potentially offers up to a three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample weight on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. The term “head hair” specifically pertains to hair on the scalp, while “body hair” covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential phases in lab processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executes any supplementary data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary fast check for substances of abuse. Although a cost-effective tactic to exclude drug use in many samples, any positive screen mandates confirmation to be court admissible, thus presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a follow-up validation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening phase, additional hair from the primary sample is utilized for Extraction. Here, the extraction of drugs from hair occurs at lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g. urine or saliva), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical insights: It provides a timeline of drug consumption over an interval, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs only become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Results can be influenced by factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variations.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing in Burlington, PA stems from its enhanced accuracy. While traditional urine tests are effective, hair tests offer a broader detection window and reduce the chance of false negatives, ensuring a reliable evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection period in hair follicle testing provides a 90-day glimpse into an individual's drug use history. This comprehensive overview is invaluable for Burlington, PA employers looking to evaluate potential or current employees' substance activity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Burlington, PA minimize the possibility of sample manipulation. This tamper-resistant testing approach ensures the results are credible and trustworthy, thereby enhancing the confidence of those requesting the analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently located testing centers in Burlington, PA, and nationwide make accessing hair follicle testing services straightforward. This broad network ensures services are readily available, facilitating a smooth experience for clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Burlington, PA is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, steps are made user-friendly, respecting privacy and reducing stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive rates and swift result delivery, hair follicle testing is an economical choice for Burlington, PA businesses of all sizes. Experience affordability without sacrificing the quality or speed of service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

With swift and accurate processing, hair follicle drug testing delivers dependable results in Burlington, PA. The method identifies substance use with impressive precision, offering a practical solution for both employers and individuals seeking assured outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Burlington, PA employers, using hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces potential regulatory issues but also fosters a safer work atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Burlington, PA

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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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