Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eagle, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reflect a long-term history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers up to about a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, extended panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Synopsis

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a specimen within a lab's system. This step ensures that the specimen was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary quick assessment for drug usage. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug intake in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be legally valid. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a specimen yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations relative to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Pros of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a reduced detection span.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are notably hard to manipulate, yielding more reliable results.
• Provides usage history: It reveals patterns of drug usage over time, not solely current use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eagle, PA Hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. Offering enhanced reliability and accuracy, it provides a more comprehensive understanding of substance use, making it a leading choice in Eagle, PA.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eagle, PA Hair follicle testing shines with its ability to monitor drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window gives employers a thorough assessment of an applicant or employee's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eagle, PA Hair follicle tests dramatically minimize the chance of sample tampering. Their robust methodology secures consistent and trustworthy results, crucial for those needing steadfast testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eagle, PA Our accessible nationwide testing centers, including local ones in Eagle, PA, provide seamless access to testing services. This convenience ensures a smooth and efficient testing experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eagle, PA Our process for ordering and completing hair follicle tests prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. Participants can easily order, complete, and receive results while maintaining privacy, addressing common concerns promptly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eagle, PA Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times deliver excellent value, serving businesses of any scale. These advantages provide companies peace of mind and economic benefits when choosing our services for drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eagle, PA Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision in detecting substance use, ensuring accuracy far superior to traditional methods. Their rapid processing and reliable results make them a preferred choice for those needing drug testing in Eagle, PA.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eagle, PA Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, lowering legal risks and promoting a safer working environment. This method enhances workplace peace and compliance.

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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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