Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Etna, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the hair fiber as it grows. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection potential of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair sample collection is uncomplicated, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately matching a #2 pencil) near the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. It's best to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is insufficient, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary incorporation of a specimen into a lab's system. This stage checks if the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial swift assessment for drug presence. While Screening serves as a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Any samples presumed positive in Screening mandate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample be deemed presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and set aside for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis one of the most challenging methodologies.

Any positive screening outcome undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed following 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 use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Difficulty to manipulate: Tampering with a hair drug test is notoriously challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It reveals drug consumption patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become visible in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Inconsistent results: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Etna, PA

• Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy.
• Enhanced reliability over traditional urine tests.
• Longer detection periods than urine screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Etna, PA

• Hair testing detects drug use for up to 90 days.
• Provides comprehensive insights into substance history.
• Valuable for employers reviewing applicant histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Etna, PA

• Hair follicle tests minimize risks of adulteration.
• Ensure reliable and unquestionable test results.
• Observed collections make tampering harder.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Etna, PA

• Access testing centers easily across the country.
• Quick and hassle-free at both national and local sites.
• Ensures fast and efficient service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Etna, PA

• Ordering and taking tests are straightforward.
• Results received with utmost confidentiality.
• Addresses privacy and ease of access concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Etna, PA

• Competitive pricing structures available.
• Quick turnaround times ensure excellent value.
• Ideal for businesses of varying sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Etna, PA

• Hair follicle tests offer rapid and precise results.
• These tests are highly accurate for detecting substances.
• Our services ensure timely detection and reporting.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Etna, PA

• Ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces legal risks with reliable testing methods.
• Enhances overall workplace safety and assurance.

Drug Testing Near Etna, PA

Carnegie, PA

Fox Chapel, PA

O'Hara Township, PA

Aspinwall, PA

Reserve Township, PA

Glenshaw, PA

Millvale, PA

Bauerstown, PA

Sharpsburg, 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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