Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edenburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it develops, hair offers a lengthy timeline of alcohol and drug usage. When snipped close to the scalp, it can deliver around a three-month detectable period for alcohol and narcotics. Hair collection is easy, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We propose utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we strictly mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase in incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and transported accurately, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input not given by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening is an introductory brisk evaluation for misuse of drugs. Screening offers an economical method to negate drug usage for most specimens; yet, any positive finding must be confirmed for judicial validity. All samples indicating presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further affirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at notably minimal concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or saliva), thereby making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as deemed necessary. The end-to-end lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assays can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Complexity to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, hence results tend to be more dependable.
• Offers chronological data: It portrays a drug use pattern over time, rather than just immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot discern recent usage: Detection in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-drug ingest.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests are costlier in comparison to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing triumphs over traditional urine tests in Edenburg, PA, due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Compared to urine tests, hair testing provides far-reaching benefits. Its detection capability is unmatched, offering more reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Edenburg, PA, benefit from hair follicle tests due to their extended detection window. Unlike other tests, hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a detailed view of an individual's substance use background.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Edenburg, PA, are renowned for being tamper-resistant. This method significantly minimizes the chances of adulterating samples, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and beyond dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience and accessibility are top priorities with our Edenburg, PA, nationwide and local testing locations. Our extensive network of testing centers simplifies the process, providing effortless access to required services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Edenburg, PA, is simple and confidential. Customers will appreciate the straightforward steps from ordering to receiving results, with privacy and ease being of utmost importance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Edenburg, PA, our hair follicle drug testing is defined by affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive prices and rapid results offer exceptional value and reassurance for companies of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Edenburg, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method stands out for its superior ability to detect substance use with high precision. The speed and accuracy of hair tests make them a leading choice for quick and accurate assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Edenburg, PA, ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers across the region. This approach supports stringent workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal issues and boosting workplace safety.

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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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