Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Castle Shannon, PA

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of its expanding strands, offering an extended history of substance usage. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) obtained closest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirming purposes. For tests that include EtG, additional tests, or cover more than 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This encompasses verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an expedited preliminary examination for substance abuse. Though a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen requires subsequent confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples indicating presumptive positivity during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

Samples present with presumptive positives in the Screening phase prompt extraction of more hair from the original sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at markedly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques.

For confirming positive screening outcomes, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Prior to confirmation, any samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing. This comprehensive lab process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP's (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day duration, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to cheating: It's extensively challenging to falsify results in a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Yields historical insight: The test outlines a pattern of drug consumption spanning over time, beyond mere recent use.

Constraints:

• Ineffective for recent consumption: Drugs require 5-7 days to become verifiable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur more cost compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair coloration and growth individualities can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly designated as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Castle Shannon, PA, the benefits of hair follicle testing surpass those of traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, extending the period over which drug use can be identified. Unlike urine tests, which detect recent usage, hair follicle tests provide a more comprehensive picture of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Castle Shannon, PA employers can take advantage of hair follicle testing's long detection window, which covers drug use for up to 90 days. This testing method presents a thorough overview of a candidate's or employee's substance history, offering invaluable insights into their past behaviors, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing in Castle Shannon, PA, significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering. This testing provides credible and irrefutable results, enhancing trust in the drug testing process. The method is designed to be tamper-resistant, making it a reliable choice for employers seeking uncompromised outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Castle Shannon, PA residents benefit from the convenience of our widespread testing network, providing easy access to testing facilities. Quick, hassle-free locations ensure seamless testing experiences, catering to the needs of all individuals needing hair follicle drug tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Castle Shannon, PA, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease. From ordering to conducting the test and receiving results, the process addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a smooth experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Castle Shannon, PA, competitive pricing paired with swift turnaround times makes our hair follicle testing an attractive choice for businesses. Offering excellent value, this testing provides both affordability and peace of mind, accommodating companies regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Castle Shannon, PA, hair follicle drug tests are prized for their precision and speed in identifying substance use. These tests boast high accuracy, ensuring a reliable diagnosis of an individual's drug history. The quick processing time means results are available promptly, equipping employers and individuals with the necessary information in a timely manner.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Castle Shannon, PA can ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies with hair follicle testing. This method not only reduces legal liabilities but also promotes a safe work environment, offering peace of mind through effective compliance and minimizing risks associated with drug use.

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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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