Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a three-month window for detecting alcohol and various other substances. It's easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and validating. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test analysis encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample in the lab's system. It involves ensuring that the sample was sealed and shipped adequately, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not included through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drugs. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with a presumptive positive during Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample appears positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.
Any positive screening result is verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Calumet, PA, outshines urine tests by providing broader detection windows and enhanced reliability. Unlike urine tests that capture recent drug use, hair testing captures a comprehensive drug history.
Accuracy and reliability are key advantages of hair follicle over urine tests. Providing detailed usage information, it benefits employers seeking thorough substance screening methods.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests in Calumet, PA, offer a panoramic perspective on one's substance history.
This long-term insight aids employers in assessing potential hires’ or employees’ drug use, ensuring informed decision-making in Calumet.
Hair follicle tests in Calumet, PA, are renowned for their tamper-resistant features. Their inherent design significantly reduces chances of sample tampering.
Their unquestionable reliability assures employers in Calumet of authentic results, fortifying the integrity of drug-testing initiatives.
The convenience offered by our nationwide testing centers in Calumet, PA, includes easily accessible facilities that simplify the testing process.
Testing in Calumet is now straightforward, thanks to our local and national presence, ensuring quick, hassle-free service access for all clients.
In Calumet, PA, hair follicle testing boasts a simple, confidential process. From booking to result receiving, privacy is held paramount.
This streamlined approach alleviates concerns about privacy and complexity, ensuring that Calumet residents experience a discreet testing journey.
In Calumet, PA, hair follicle testing is renowned for its affordable pricing structures, offering economical solutions for businesses irrespective of their size.
The fast turnaround provides value for money and efficiency, satisfying Calumet companies seeking quality and quick results without high costs.
In Calumet, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, precise results. Known for their accuracy and speed, these tests reliably detect substance use with minimal delay.
High accuracy is a hallmark of hair testing. By identifying trace elements of drug use accurately, it offers Calumet, PA, residents a foremost choice in substance testing.
Employers in Calumet, PA, find peace of mind in utilizing hair follicle tests. These tests rigorously adhere to drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks.
Compliance with workplace safety standards is enhanced via hair testing. Employers feel reassured of a safer, drug-free environment.
