Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Prospect, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the structure of the growing hair shaft. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection timeframe for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches encompassing about 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings with more than 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in the lab for drug test result analysis involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample into a lab’s system. It involves confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entries not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid inspection for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome needs validation to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set aside for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are separated from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete lab progression from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Cheating is challenging: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, thus enhancing the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Inconsistencies in results: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test itself assesses the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In East Prospect, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in various aspects. Hair tests provide advanced detection accuracy with a longer detection window of up to 90 days, while urine tests are limited to recent substance use. This gives employers comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history.

The reliability of hair testing is unmatched as it resists sample tampering and evasion attempts, unlike urine tests which can be altered more easily, ensuring trustworthy and defensible results.

Extended Detection Window

In East Prospect, PA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing substance use for up to 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to examine an applicant or employee's drug use comprehensively, facilitating informed decision-making processes.

The advanced detection capabilities of hair samples ensure a thorough analysis, presenting a complete substance use history, thereby providing superior insights into a potential hire's lifestyle choices over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

East Prospect, PA's hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that ensures sample integrity. Hair samples are less susceptible to contamination or adulteration compared to other testing methods, providing secure and unequivocal results.

Employers in East Prospect gain confidence from these tests, knowing they reduce the risk of manipulation and offer genuine insights into an individual's drug use without the interference of tampering concerns.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous national and local centers near East Prospect, PA, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience and accessibility for all testing needs. Local residents can easily access hassle-free testing services across multiple locations, ensuring prompt and efficient drug testing solutions.

Our strategically placed facilities allow individuals and employers to obtain necessary tests without the burden of extensive travel, enhancing the overall testing experience through simplicity and ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in East Prospect, PA, is straightforward and maintains strict confidentiality standards. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy, addressing any privacy concerns users might have.

Users in East Prospect can rely on the simple process, knowing they will receive accurate results securely. Providing a confidential environment ensures trust and comfort throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in East Prospect, PA, delivering excellent value for businesses of varying sizes. Our economical pricing models ensure affordable access to trustworthy testing services.

Swift processing of tests provides East Prospect employers with expedited responses, maintaining employee productivity and delivering peace of mind through timely results, all while remaining budget-friendly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In East Prospect, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer swift and accurate results, significantly enhancing substance use detection. These tests provide precise and dependable assessments by detecting drug residues in hair samples, ensuring that substance use is correctly identified and reported.

The advanced capabilities of hair follicle tests in East Prospect provide a competitive edge over conventional methods. By analyzing the chemical markers in hair, these tests can detect extended usage periods, offering employers confidence in the results they receive.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in East Prospect, PA, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies and minimizes legal risks. These tests provide employers peace of mind with their reliable detection methods, reinforcing workplace safety efforts.

Employers benefit by aligning with employment regulations and maintaining a drug-free environment, thereby avoiding potential legal issues, improving productivity, and fostering a safe work atmosphere.

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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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