Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Falls, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged account of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the advancing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to obtain, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 strands of hair (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be used, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test outcome involves four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary input of a sample into a lab’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and filling out any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. It is an economical way to exclude drug consumption in most samples, but a positive screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples testing positive in Screening require additional verification through a secondary confirmation.

In the event of a positive screening outcome, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at markedly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging to execute.

The Confirmation of positive screening findings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive specimens undergo a washing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Historic data provision: It can show a pattern of drug usage over a timeframe, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Falls, PA
Fall, PA's hair testing notes distinct advantages over standard urine testing. Highlights include enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, setting a benchmark in superior drug testing methods for the region.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Falls, PA
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period, revealing drug use history for up to 90 days. This capability ensures that employers in Falls, PA gain a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use background, aiding in thorough evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Falls, PA
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering, delivering credible and trusted results. The testing method helps reassure Falls, PA stakeholders that the results are reliable and difficult to alter in any way.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Falls, PA
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures accessibility and ease for those in Falls, PA. From coast to coast, our facilities offer quick and hassle-free access to crucial testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Falls, PA
The testing process is straightforward and discreet, ensuring user privacy from ordering through result delivery in Falls, PA. It addresses concerns regarding confidentiality and the simplicity of the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Falls, PA
In Falls, PA, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround present immense value. We cater to businesses of all sizes, delivering peace of mind with our efficient services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Falls, PA
In Falls, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled accuracy and speed in detecting substance use. With their high precision, these tests provide reliable results that make them a preferred option for many seeking dependable detection methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Falls, PA
Employers in Falls, PA can rely on hair follicle testing to maintain drug-free workplaces, aligning with compliance standards. This proactive approach enhances safety and reduces legal exposure.

Drug Testing Near Falls, PA

Newportville Terrace, PA

Penndel, PA

Langhorne Manor, PA

Hulmeville, PA

West Bristol, PA

Yardley, PA

Woodside, PA

Woodbourne, PA

Edgely, PA

Fairless Hills, PA

Morrisville, PA

Bristol, PA

Levittown, PA

Tullytown, PA

Fallsington, 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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