Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farrandsville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis serves as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands, hair offers a prolonged record of drug and alcohol use. When sourced near the scalp, hair reveals a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for both drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A close-to-the-scalp 1.5-inch sample with approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter) yields 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, test extensions, and evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory handling of a drug test result consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This phase involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial brief evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly means to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally permissible. Samples that test preliminary positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a preliminary positive result at the Screening stage, more hair from the initial collection is utilized for Extraction. In this phase, substances are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why performing hair drug screening is particularly challenging.

Verification of any positive Screening result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that indicate a positive result are cleansed before Confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is assessed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a briefer detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to forge, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Presents historical patterns: It can illustrate a timeline of drug consumption over a duration, not merely recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to identify recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur greater costs compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Outcome variations: Elements such as hair coloration and individual growth disparities can influence the drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Farrandsville, PA are numerous. Superior Detection: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests cover a shorter timeframe. Reliable Results: Employers seeking dependable drug use history find hair testing particularly beneficial.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days, providing employers in Farrandsville, PA with a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history. Long-term Insight: This extended timeframe allows businesses to better assess the substance habits of potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Farrandsville, PA significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration. Secure Results: These tests are more reliable as altering hair samples is notably harder compared to urine samples, ensuring the authenticity of the outcome is maintained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Farrandsville, PA, and nationwide, our testing centers are conveniently accessible. Wide Reach: Nationwide availability ensures prompt and straightforward access to testing services, reducing the hassle for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair drug testing in Farrandsville, PA is both simple and confidential. Ease of Use: Ordering, conducting, and receiving test results are designed to prioritize privacy and convenience, addressing any confidentiality concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability and quick service define our hair follicle testing in Farrandsville, PA. Competitive Pricing: Our cost-effective solutions fit businesses of all sizes. Rapid Turnaround: Fast processing ensures companies receive results promptly, aiding in timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Farrandsville, PA stand out for their speed and precision. Fast Results: Able to deliver quick outcomes, they efficiently identify the presence of substances. Highly Accurate: Renowned for their ability to detect various drugs, these tests present an accurate account of drug usage.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Farrandsville, PA gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Compliance Assurance: By using this testing method, businesses adhere to drug-free work policies, reducing legal repercussions. Enhanced Safety: Consistent testing fosters a safer work environment.

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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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