Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, hair serves as a long-term record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can detect alcohol and drugs for a period of up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), cut closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair—ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, special tests, and panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry that is not available via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse, offering a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use for most samples. However, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples testing positive during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. During Extraction, drugs are separated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more complex procedure.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests," the assessment actually examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing beat urine testing in East Troy, PA? The answer lies in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection window and are harder to tamper with. Compared to urine tests, hair tests provide a more comprehensive history of drug use.
In East Troy, PA, hair follicle testing shines with its extended detection window. Capable of tracking drug use up to 90 days back, it offers a thorough insight into an individual’s substance history.
For a tamper-resistant testing method in East Troy, PA, hair follicle testing is unmatched. Its design minimizes risk of sample adulteration, providing unquestionable results.
Convenience is king with our nationwide and local testing locations in East Troy, PA. Accredited Drug Testing centers offer quick and hassle-free access to services.
Our process in East Troy, PA, is both simple and confidential. Ordering and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring privacy every step of the way.
Accredited Drug Testing in East Troy, PA, champions affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Our competitive rates provide excellent value and support companies of all sizes.
In East Troy, PA, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed, precision, and reliability. High accuracy marks it as an ideal choice for detecting drug use. Its quick analysis process ensures that results are both fast and dependable.
In East Troy, PA, hair follicle testing offers employers compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free policies, companies significantly reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety.
