Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Flemington, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now considered a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate long-term drug and alcohol markers within their fibers, allowing a historical timeline of usage to be determined. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal usage over a timeframe of up to three months. Collection of hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and the samples are easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable in width to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for test screening and confirmation. For extended panels such as EtG, extra tests, or panels above 10, a 150mg sample is preferred. Using a jeweler's scale is advised for the precise measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, we are specifically indicating scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test evaluation encompasses four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary stage involving sample integration into the lab system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial evaluation for drugs of concern. Although it is a cost-efficient method to suggest non-drug usage in most cases, positive screens must be verified for legal admissibility. Any samples yielding presumptive positives in the Screening phase necessitate follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample demonstrate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are harvested from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.

Confirmation of positive screens is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process as required. The entire pipeline from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes examination under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection span: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a narrower detection range.
• Resistance to tampering: The challenge in falsifying hair drug test results increases their reliability.
• Offers historical insights: It can outline patterns of drug utilization over extended periods, rather than detecting only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Differences in hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", these analyses examine the hair strands rather than the scalp-embedded hair follicles.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Flemington, PA

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle evaluations offer superior accuracy and reliability. Their longer detection window provides a more comprehensive view of drug patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Flemington, PA

Hair follicle testing shines with its extensive detection span, charting substance use up to 90 days. Employers in Flemington benefit from a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Flemington, PA

The reliability of hair follicle evaluations is unmatched, drastically reducing the risk of tampering and providing results of unquestionable integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Flemington, PA

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including facilities in Flemington, guarantees hassle-free and accessible drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Flemington, PA

The hair follicle testing procedure in Flemington emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality, addressing concerns related to privacy while ensuring a straightforward process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Flemington, PA

Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery offer excellent value, reassuring businesses of all sizes in Flemington, PA about their investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Flemington, PA

Hair follicle tests provide rapid and precise substance detection in Flemington, PA. Their stunning accuracy ensures that substance use is reliably identified, giving a clear view of historical use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Flemington, PA

Utilizing hair follicle tests assists employers in maintaining drug-free workplaces. This not only ensures compliance with policies but also minimizes legal risks and enhances safety.

Drug Testing Near Flemington, PA

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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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