Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Coaldale, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional substances, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is favored. A jeweler’s scale is useful to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing drug test outcomes in a lab entails four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This step checks that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs extra data entry if not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. Though Screening is economical for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen is required to be validated for legal purposes. Samples indicating possible positivity during Screening need additional validation.

If Screening indicates potential positivity, further hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations less than those used in other techniques like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmatory tests for positive screening results are done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are pre-washed if necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug usage up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Provides historical data: Offers a usage pattern over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing costs more than alternative methods.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although called "hair follicle tests", the examination is of the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Coaldale, PA

• Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides superior accuracy and reliability in detecting drug use. This testing method in Coaldale, PA, offers broader detection and can't be easily manipulated.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Coaldale, PA

• With the ability to identify drug use for up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers in Coaldale, PA, a detailed understanding of an individual's substance history, surpassing other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Coaldale, PA

• Hair follicle tests drastically minimize the chance of sample tampering, guaranteeing trustworthy and undeniable results in Coaldale, PA.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Coaldale, PA

• Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures straightforward, efficient, and uncomplicated access to testing services in Coaldale, PA.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Coaldale, PA

• The process for arranging, completing, and receiving test results is both straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ease of use in Coaldale, PA.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Coaldale, PA

• Our affordable pricing and quick result times offer substantial value and reassurance for businesses of all sizes in Coaldale, PA.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Coaldale, PA

• Hair follicle drug tests offer speed and precision, delivering results that you can trust. In Coaldale, PA, the high accuracy of these tests ensures that substance use is accurately detected.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Coaldale, PA

• Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain drug-free workplace policies, decreasing legal liabilities and improving safety standards in Coaldale, PA.

Drug Testing Near Coaldale, PA

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Beaver Meadows, PA

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Tresckow, PA

McAdoo, PA

Nesquehoning, PA

Hometown, PA

Tamaqua, PA

Summit Hill, PA

Lansford, 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.

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