Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ferndale, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers, hair offers an extended history of substance use. When procured close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in the lab for producing a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves entering a sample into a laboratory system initially. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal proceedings. Samples that test provisional positive in Screening demand a confirmatory review.

For any sample tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the hardest technique to conduct.

The verification of any positive result from screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All provisional positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory path from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is very difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers trend data: It can display a pattern of substance use over a longer timeframe, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required before drugs become observable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle to urine drug tests in Ferndale, PA, the former offers distinct advantages. Hair testing provides superior accuracy and a longer detection window, often tracing drug use up to 90 days, compared to days for urine tests. This extended period proves invaluable for employers with strict drug-free policies.
The reliability of hair testing stems from its ability to detect a broader scope of substance use history, bolstering the validity of results for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Ferndale, PA sees hair follicle testing as a superior detection method, allowing the capture of a user’s drug use history over a longer period, typically up to 90 days. This extended window offers employers a comprehensive view of an employee or candidate's substance use patterns, aiding in informed decisions and reinforcing corporate drug policy adherence.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing offers a robust, tamper-resistant option in Ferndale, PA, significantly reducing opportunities for sample adulteration. The collection process, overseen directly, further ensures the integrity of the results, making them virtually cheat-proof. This reliability ensures confidence in maintaining a drug-free workplace environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Ferndale, PA, Accredited Drug Testing's conveniently located testing centers nationwide facilitate easy access to testing services. This easy access strategy ensures quick, straightforward service, reducing any logistical hassles and supporting both individuals and businesses with their drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ferndale, PA, the process for undergoing a hair follicle drug test is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the emphasis is on privacy and ease of use. Individuals can have peace of mind, knowing their data is secure, while obtaining rapid, accurate results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Ferndale, PA makes drug testing accessible through competitive pricing and fast service. The quick turnaround times coupled with affordability ensure businesses of all sizes receive excellent value, aiding financial management and efficient decision-making processes when enforcing drug-free workplace policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ferndale, PA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed, precision, and accuracy. Tests rapidly deliver reliable insights into substance use, ensuring confidence in the outcomes. These tests accurately detect even minimal levels of drug metabolites, making them an indispensable asset for both employers and individuals seeking clarity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ferndale, PA benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risk and promotes workplace safety, providing peace of mind that employees adhere to the necessary standards, thereby enhancing overall productivity and well-being within the company.

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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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