Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By imbedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows, hair provides a long-term record of drug and alcohol use. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use history for up to about three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 hair strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It is advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. When we mention head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
Drug testing in a laboratory setting involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This stage ensures that the sample was closed securely and shipped correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry that is not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary sweep for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be acceptable in legal settings. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate secondary verification.
If a sample displays a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Drugs are sourced from hair at much lower concentrations during this step compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid testing, which accounts for the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive result in screening is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation based on ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used, but the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Cashtown, PA, recognizes the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests. With greater detection accuracy, these tests illuminate substance use histories more reliably.
Hair testing offers an enhanced detection capability, especially valuable in Cashtown's strict evaluation environments, where traditional urine tests might fall short.
In Cashtown, PA, hair follicle tests provide an extensive detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days prior. This offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history.
Extended detection windows for hair tests give Cashtown employers a detailed overview, critical for informed hiring decisions based on long-term substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Cashtown, PA, reduces the risk of sample adulteration significantly, ensuring results remain tamper-resistant and reliable.
Cashtown’s preference for hair tests stems from their tamper-proof nature, providing security against potential manipulation commonly associated with other testing methods.
With numerous nationwide centers, including those in Cashtown, PA, our testing locations offer convenient accessibility, streamlining the drug testing process.
Cashtown residents find ease with accessible local and national testing facilities, ensuring swift and hassle-free access to necessary drug testing services.
In Cashtown, PA, our drug testing process remains simple and confidential, providing ease of access while safeguarding user privacy.
Simplicity and confidentiality define our testing approach in Cashtown, ensuring individuals can conduct tests without concern for privacy breaches or procedural complexity.
Cashtown, PA, benefits from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround for drug testing, providing excellent value to companies of diverse sizes.
Affordable pricing combined with rapid result delivery makes our Cashtown hair testing services a cost-effective solution for businesses prioritizing budget and timeliness.
In Cashtown, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substances surpasses traditional methods, offering peace of mind with every test.
Emphasizing high accuracy, hair tests in Cashtown ensure that substance detection is both quick and thorough, making them a preferred choice for those in need of dependability.
Employers in Cashtown, PA, benefit from hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks.
By adopting hair tests, Cashtown employers secure peace of mind through adherence to workplace safety standards, crucial for maintaining a compliant and safe work environment.
