Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Forbes Road, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a detailed timeline of substance use by trapping indicators within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can yield a detection period of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is considered the preferred amount for both screening and validation. For tests like EtG, additions, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, this specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is integrated into a lab system. This step involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and transported, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional information not supplied by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening is a rapid preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive outcome needs verification to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test as positive initially in Screening necessitate a secondary validation.

If Screening shows a sample to be potentially positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample and processed for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most complex methods to execute.

The Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a potential positive result undergo a wash before verification as needed. The end-to-end laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• High integrity: Cheating a hair test is highly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers a usage timeline: It can show a pattern of substance use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be noticeable in hair strands.
• More expensive: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Forbes Road, PA, offers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. With a broader window of detection and difficulty to tamper with, hair testing provides a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history, making it a preferred choice for employers and legal bodies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Forbes Road, PA, uncover drug use over a prolonged timeframe, up to 90 days, allowing employers a detailed insight into a subject's drug history. This enduring detection capacity makes hair testing a robust tool for evaluating potential hires or employees thoroughly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test method in Forbes Road, PA, significantly diminishes the possibility of sample adulteration, producing reliable and indisputable results. Its robust nature ensures that the test samples remain secure and reflective of true substance usage, enhancing test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing options in Forbes Road, PA, with numerous centers Nationwide. These locations ensure quick and efficient access to testing services, minimizing hassle for individuals and organizations seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

In Forbes Road, PA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to protect sensitive information and streamline testing, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Forbes Road, PA, make hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of all sizes. This affordability combined with quick results offers notable value, reinforcing the importance and utility of these tests for organizations focused on efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Forbes Road, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide swift and reliable results. Their high precision in identifying substance use surpasses other testing methods, offering an efficient way to ensure a drug-free environment. These tests rapidly pinpoint substance use, delivering accurate data essential for policy compliance and peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Forbes Road, PA, helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies efficiently. This compliance reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, offering a reassuring measure for companies intent on maintaining a secure working 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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