Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ellsworth, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can show a detection timeline of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the same size as a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn’t available, the same quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of the sample into a lab’s system. This step entails verifying the correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be legally allowable. All presumptively positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex method.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, if needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Tampering with a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It can present a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ellsworth, PA Hair follicle testing boasts superior detection accuracy compared to conventional urine tests. The extended detection period and resistance to tampering make it a valuable tool for effective drug policy enforcement. Employers in Ellsworth gain the benefit of a robust testing method, ensuring workplace safety and compliance with greater confidence.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ellsworth, PA Hair follicle testing offers an unparalleled detection window of up to 90 days, providing a broad overview of an individual's substance use history. This extended analysis period equips employers with valuable insights into an applicant or employee's habits, facilitating informed decision-making and supporting workplace safety initiatives.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ellsworth, PA The hair follicle drug test minimizes the likelihood of sample tampering, offering reliable and honest results. Its collection method significantly reduces risks associated with adulteration, assuring clients of the integrity of the testing process and resulting in trustworthy outcomes for professionals in critical environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ellsworth, PA With a vast network of testing centers nationwide, obtaining a hair follicle drug test has never been simpler. Local sites in Ellsworth offer accessible services, ensuring a quick and smooth testing experience. This breadth of locations supports efficient and hassle-free access to top-tier testing resources.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ellsworth, PA Accredited Drug Testing guarantees a straightforward and private procedure, from ordering tests to receiving results. The entire process is designed with confidentiality in mind, offering reassurance to clients concerned about privacy. This user-friendly approach enhances ease of use and reinforces trust in the services provided.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ellsworth, PA Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery offer exceptional value to companies regardless of size. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes affordability without sacrificing quality, ensuring businesses receive cost-effective services with rapid turnaround, facilitating efficient decision-making and operational excellence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ellsworth, PA Hair follicle drug testing in Ellsworth offers unmatched precision and quick results. Testing captures comprehensive data for a reliable analysis, thanks to its high sensitivity to substance detection. Clients can trust the accuracy and speed of results, which surpass traditional methods. Trust in these dependable findings reinforces the service's exceptional reputation.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ellsworth, PA Adopting hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reliable testing method minimizes legal risks while fostering a safe working environment. By incorporating this rigorous testing, employers can achieve peace of mind, knowing they contribute to a secure and productive workplace.

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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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