Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bushkill, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample that is 1.5 inches long and includes approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly #2 pencil-sized) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional requests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. When scalp hair isn't an option, an equivalent amount of body hair can be substituted. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. The term body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in a laboratory to handle a drug test result consists mainly of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s framework. It involves ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry missing in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a quick preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly means to eliminate drug usage from most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase, where drugs are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), underlining the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive results from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to manipulate, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical insights: These tests reveal a pattern of drug use across time, not merely recent usage.

Disadvantages:

• Misses recent use: Drugs usually become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and variations in individual hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the procedure evaluates the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Bushkill, PA, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. It provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, establishing it as the preferred choice for many situations.

While urine tests have been a common method, hair testing surpasses with its ability to detect substance use over a more extended period. This enhanced detection capability ensures more comprehensive assessment, gaining favor among employers and other stakeholders.

Extended Detection Window

In Bushkill, PA, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This method provides employers with a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use history.

Such prolonged detection helps employers evaluate substance use over an extended timeframe, offering a more detailed insight into an individual's behavior, thereby supporting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Bushkill, PA, provides a reliable and tamper-resistant method for drug testing. The risk of sample adulteration is significantly reduced, ensuring the integrity of the results.

By utilizing a process that minimizes the possibility of interference, hair tests offer unquestionable accuracy. This assurance makes them a robust solution for those seeking incontrovertible evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a key feature of our testing services in Bushkill, PA, with locations nationwide. Quick, easy, and hassle-free access to drug testing centers is assured for seamless service delivery.

Having widespread, readily accessible testing locations ensures that individuals and businesses can quickly undergo the necessary testing procedures, facilitating uninterrupted operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bushkill, PA, the simplicity and confidentiality of our hair follicle testing process stand out. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the process is straightforward, respecting privacy at every step.

Concerns around privacy and ease of use are thoughtfully addressed. The user-friendly approach ensures a stress-free experience for all involved, fostering confidence in the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Bushkill, PA, offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. This combination ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes, providing both financial savings and efficiency.

With competitive pricing structures in place, companies can enjoy fast results at a reasonable cost, enhancing their confidence in managing substance use policies without undue financial burdens.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Bushkill, PA, stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. Offering a high level of precision, this testing method ensures rapid detection of substance use, providing a dependable solution for various needs.

With a streamlined process in place, the hair follicle test quickly delivers clear and precise outcomes. The accuracy of detecting substances is unparalleled, making it a preferred choice for accurate substance monitoring in numerous scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bushkill, PA, can trust hair follicle testing to support compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, delivering peace of mind.

Implementing such testing aligns with safety regulations, minimizing potential liabilities. Consequently, workplaces benefit from an improved safety culture and assurance of compliance.

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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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