Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dunnstown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, comparatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accurate weight measurement of the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result comprises Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary handling of a specimen within a lab's framework. This step confirms that the sample was packaged and transported suitably, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data requirements not fulfilled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial quick assessment for the presence of drugs. While this step is an affordable means to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs validation for legal admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screening.

The confirmation of any screening results that are positive is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is notably difficult to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can exhibit a trend of drug use across time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing procedures.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle itself beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine testing in Dunnstown, PA? Hair testing offers unmatched accuracy by detecting substances over a prolonged period. Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window, hair tests offer a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history, making them superior for discerning long-term drug use.

Comparing hair and urine tests highlights hair follicle testing's superior detection accuracy. While urine tests are effective for recent use, hair tests provide a reliable, comprehensive view of substance use over months, invaluable for employers adhering to strict drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection windows provided by hair follicle testing in Dunnstown, PA, give an accurate overview of drug use up to 90 days. This offers employers insight into long-term substance use, invaluable for assessing employee reliability and safety in the workplace.

Employers seeking comprehensive substance history of their workforce benefit from hair testing's prolonged detection capability. By evaluating drug use over three months, companies can ensure stricter adherence to drug policies, enhancing workplace trust and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Dunnstown, PA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for substance detection. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests significantly reduce the likelihood of adulteration, offering clients confidence in their reliability and irrefutability.

Employers can trust the security of hair follicle testing as it leaves little room for sample tampering, ensuring unwavering results. This trust is crucial in maintaining integrity in drug testing protocols, essential for regulatory compliance and safety.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers nationwide, including in Dunnstown, PA, offer unparalleled ease of access. This extensive network ensures individuals and businesses can access services without hassle, saving time and effort.

Convenience is key with our broadly located centers. Whether nearby or across the nation, our facilities provide a seamless path to conducting necessary hair follicle tests, ensuring smooth, efficient service access for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dunnstown, PA, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step respects privacy, addressing concerns straightforwardly and discreetly.

Our user-friendly process ensures stress-free management of drug testing, crucial in maintaining confidentiality. Emphasizing simplicity at each stage, we provide an exemplary experience that prioritizes ease and security for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and quick turnaround in Dunnstown, PA, make hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice. Our competitive pricing offers peace of mind, delivering excellent value for companies seeking reliable substance detection solutions.

While ensuring top-quality service, our pricing structures and rapid result delivery cater to businesses of all sizes. This affordability ensures access to trustworthy, prompt drug testing, crucial for maintaining effective compliance and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dunnstown, PA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. The precision of these tests is unrivaled, quickly identifying the presence of substances. For employers and individuals alike, the confidence in prompt and correct detection makes hair testing an outstanding choice.

The quick turnaround time for hair tests ensures businesses and individuals can rely on prompt results without sacrificing accuracy. This efficiency allows for timely decision-making, especially important for employers needing to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Dunnstown, PA, helps employers remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, alleviating legal concerns. This testing method enhances safety standards significantly, providing peace of mind in maintaining a healthy work environment.

Adopting hair testing supports zero-tolerance stances by ensuring adherence to existing policies. By choosing this method, employers collaborate in fostering a safer, drug-free working atmosphere while mitigating potential legal ramifications.

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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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