Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dunlevy, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a historical record by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair samples are obtained near the scalp, they can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. The procedure for collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) collected close to the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmatory tests. For assessments involving EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, this specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

There are four key steps in the laboratory processing of drug testing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing of a sample in a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry requirements not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although it's a cost-effective method to rule out drug use for most samples, any positive results from screening require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples yielding positive indications during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are removed from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to perform.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug examinations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, yielding more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It can outline a timeline of drug use over a prolonged term, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Dunlevy, PA, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine screening. Hair tests provide a broader detection window for substance use, tracing drug metabolites up to 90 days back. While urine tests detect recent usage, follicle tests uncover longer-term patterns, making them a superior choice for employers seeking detailed insights into an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

With their extended detection window, hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. Detecting drug metabolite presence up to 90 days prior, this approach gives Dunlevy, PA employers deeper insights into potential candidates. This method grants more informed decisions by presenting a broader scope of an applicant's or employee's past drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Dunlevy, PA, offers a tamper-resistant method, minimizing risks of sample manipulation. Unlike other tests, the collection process is observed, making it challenging to alter samples. This integrity ensures employers and authorities receive uncontestable results, bolstering the reliability of drug testing in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers, including locations in Dunlevy, PA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessible services. This extensive network allows for easy, hassle-free access to testing, catering to individuals and businesses alike. The convenience of local facilities means quick testing without the inconvenience of lengthy travel or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple, confidential process in Dunlevy, PA, guarantees ease and privacy. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize security and discretion, addressing user concerns. This straightforward approach ensures efficiency in testing, respecting client confidentiality while delivering dependable outcomes effortlessly and seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround in Dunlevy, PA, our hair follicle testing services provide exceptional value to businesses of all sizes. With efficient procedures and cost-effective solutions, organizations benefit from enhanced peace of mind and budget-friendly testing options that do not compromise on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Renowned for their speed and accuracy, hair follicle tests in Dunlevy, PA, deliver reliable results swiftly. From collection to analysis, the method yields fast turnaround times, ensuring timely decision-making. Their high precision in identifying substance use surpasses standard tests, affirming their efficacy in delivering precise outcomes that organizations and individuals trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By integrating hair follicle testing, Dunlevy, PA, employers enhance compliance with drug-free workplace standards. This method reduces legal risks and boosts safety. With its thorough screening process, organizations gain peace of mind, knowing they are upholding policies and maintaining an environment free from substance misuse.

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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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