Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Norriton, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a chronological record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When we refer to head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into the lab's system. This includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data input not already provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is budget-friendly for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be verified to stand in a court of law. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is taken and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn from hair at lower concentrations than found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes a review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use over up to a 90-day span, whereas urine tests offer a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are difficult to cheat, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical usage data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Cost considerations: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In East Norriton, PA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by offering unmatched detection accuracy. This method provides employers and substance abuse professionals superior reliability, with a much longer detection period that clearly highlights past drug use, while minimizing false negatives or tampering, thereby offering peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in East Norriton, PA, proves advantageous for a comprehensive substance use assessment. Covering a span of up to 90 days, this method offers organizations an inclusive outlook on a candidate's or employee's drug history, surpassing the shorter duration of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In East Norriton, PA, hair follicle tests stand as a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. Such tests greatly limit adulteration risks, ensuring the results are trustworthy and irrefutable. This high level of reliability is crucial for entities requiring stringent assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In East Norriton, PA, our widespread testing center network provides convenience for those seeking testing services. With locations nationwide, access is made quick and easy, allowing for hassle-free testing experiences, which caters to individuals as well as large organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in East Norriton, PA, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering and testing to receiving results, the steps are straightforward and safeguard privacy, offering ease and peace of mind throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In East Norriton, PA, our hair follicle testing services provide affordable pricing with swift turnaround times. This ensures that organizations, whether large or small, receive excellent value from reliable testing, creating an advantageous balance between cost and quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers remarkable precision and speed in East Norriton, PA. It provides reliable detection of substance use, thanks to its sophisticated methods. High accuracy in results ensures that any instances of drug use are effectively identified, aiding organizations and individuals alike in obtaining necessary information promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in East Norriton, PA, ensures workplace compliance with drug-free policies, offering employers peace of mind. It reduces legal risks associated with drug use, creating a safer working environment while adhering to zero-tolerance regulations. This method is instrumental in maintaining organizational integrity.

Drug Testing Near East Norriton, PA

Ambler, PA

West Conshohocken, PA

Audubon, PA

North Wales, PA

Conshohocken, PA

King of Prussia, PA

Gwynedd Valley, PA

Plymouth Meeting, PA

Trooper, PA

Worcester, PA

Blue Bell, PA

West Norriton, PA

Center Square, PA

Norristown, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews