Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cammal, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It’s recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. It entails confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Immunity to tampering: It is very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing and traditional urine tests, the advantages of hair testing stand out in Cammal, PA. Hair tests are unmatched in detection accuracy and offer a more reliable screening method over urine tests. This method provides a broader detection window and inherently minimizes the chances of cheating, thereby enhancing the overall credibility of the results.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage in Cammal, PA. Spanning a period of up to 90 days, this method gives a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history. Employers can rely on this extended timeframe to gain a clearer picture of the applicant or employee's behavior and commitment to drug-free policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cammal, PA, hair follicle drug testing is favored for its tamper-resistant nature. This method reduces the risk of sample adulteration significantly, delivering unquestionable results that stakeholders can trust. The integrity of the sample remains intact, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the tests conducted.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access in Cammal, PA. These easy-to-reach locations ensure quick and hassle-free service, catering to the growing demand for reliable drug testing nationwide. Local and distant customers alike can take advantage of a streamlined and accessible testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Cammal, PA is simple and confidential. The ordering, testing, and result retrieval steps are designed to assure privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns individuals might have about the testing procedure. This ensures participants feel at ease throughout the entire process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Cammal, PA stands as a cost-effective option for businesses. The competitive pricing strategies provide excellent value while ensuring quick, reliable results that cater to companies of all sizes, guaranteeing timely insights and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cammal, PA, the process of hair follicle drug testing is known for its remarkable speed and accuracy in identifying substance use. This testing method provides fast, accurate, and reliable results that make it a preferred choice for employers looking to maintain a drug-free workplace. The advanced technology utilized ensures high precision in detecting drug presence, delivering peace of mind with every test.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cammal, PA gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, diminishing legal liabilities and promoting safety. Hair testing offers not just assurance but also demonstrates a commitment to a healthy, safe, and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Cammal, PA

Mill Hall, PA

Castanea, PA

Flemington, PA

Lock Haven, PA

Dunnstown, PA

McElhattan, PA

Jersey Shore, PA

Avis, PA

Farrandsville, PA

Renovo, PA

South Renovo, PA

Salladasburg, PA

Clinton, PA

North Bend, PA

Blackwell, 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