Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Pittsburgh, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to an approximately 3-month detection timeframe for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

By collecting a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, one can obtain 100mg of hair, ideal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples presumed positive during Screening require further confirmation.

For samples presumed positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a smaller detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Provides historical data: Enables the revelation of a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth disparities can influence the concentration of drug markers in the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in East Pittsburgh, PA
The advantages of hair testing are clear when compared to traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a longer history of substance use.

• Longer detection window
• Harder to cheat
• Observed collection
• Reliable results

While urine tests are effective for recent use, hair tests provide a broader view, making them invaluable in maintaining strict drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in East Pittsburgh, PA
Hair follicle testing stands out due to its ability to detect drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window is crucial for employers who wish to gain a comprehensive view of an employee's or applicant's substance use history, offering insights beyond the capabilities of other testing methods.

The extended window offers employers peace of mind, ensuring that they have a complete overview of an individual’s potential drug use, promoting a safer and more informed workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in East Pittsburgh, PA
One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its resistance to sample tampering. This method significantly reduces the chance of adulteration, offering results that are reliable and nearly impossible to dispute.

With its tamper-resistant nature, hair testing ensures that the integrity of the test is maintained from collection to result, providing unquestionable outcomes that can be trusted by employers and legal entities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in East Pittsburgh, PA
The widespread network of testing centers ensures quick and convenient access to testing services. Whether located in East Pittsburgh or elsewhere, the hassle-free process allows for easy scheduling of tests at numerous Nationwide locations, making it accessible no matter where you reside.

Our local and national infrastructure for drug testing services makes it possible to match convenience with efficiency, ensuring swift and straightforward access when needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in East Pittsburgh, PA
The process of ordering and taking hair follicle tests is straightforward and respects client privacy.

• Easy ordering
• Confidential procedures
• Secure result transmission

Ensuring confidentiality at every step provides reassurance that personal information is protected throughout the entire testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in East Pittsburgh, PA
We offer competitive pricing structures with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our pricing strategy delivers affordability without compromising on quality or speed of service, making it an excellent choice for various business needs.

By providing quick results at a cost-effective rate, businesses can efficiently manage their needs, offering peace of mind and a reliable solution for ongoing compliance with drug policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in East Pittsburgh, PA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, delivering results that employers can trust. The methodology ensures quick processing, allowing prompt access to findings while maintaining high standards of reliability and accuracy.

Employing hair follicle testing means that test results are not only swiftly produced but also carry a degree of accuracy seldom matched by other testing methods. This speed and accuracy make it a preferred choice when timely and dependable results are required.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in East Pittsburgh, PA
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, which in turn minimizes legal risks and enhances safety. This method of testing provides a reliable tool that aligns with stringent compliance requirements.

Employers can experience peace of mind knowing their workplace is safer and that policy violations are efficiently addressed, supporting a productive and secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near East Pittsburgh, PA

Wilkins Township, PA

East McKeesport, PA

Versailles, PA

North Versailles, PA

Forest Hills, PA

Wilmerding, PA

Homeville, PA

Duquesne, PA

Turtle Creek, PA

Chalfant, 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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