Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gilberton, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now viewed as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can deliver up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to obtain, somewhat hard to adulterate, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to have 150mg of the specimen. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair accounts for all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial inclusion of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be court admissible. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are pulled from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests are capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: It is very challenging to fake a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can present a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variation in results: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites present in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing against urine tests in Gilberton, PA, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers more comprehensive results, capturing a longer history of substance use, which is invaluable for employers concerned with long-term use. Unlike urine tests, which detect only recent usage, hair testing reveals patterns of use.

Hair tests significantly outperform urine tests in accuracy and reliability. Not only do they track use over a 90-day window, but they are also less susceptible to manipulation, providing trustworthy outcomes. This thoroughness ensures businesses maintain a safe, drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

One of the notable advantages of hair follicle testing in Gilberton, PA is its extended detection window. With a capacity to trace drug use up to 90 days prior, it provides employers with a detailed look into an individual's substance history, far beyond the capabilities of typical testing methods.

This extended window is ideal for employers keen on maintaining long-term workplace safety and compliance. By offering a comprehensive overview, hair testing helps keep environments secure and free from substance-related incidents.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Gilberton, PA, offers a highly secure form of drug screening. Its resistance to tampering makes it a preferred choice for organizations requiring reliable results. Standard urine tests can be manipulated, but hair tests practically eliminate this risk by deterring attempts at sample adulteration.

The observed collection process and difficulty in altering hair samples ensure integrity of results. Businesses can trust that the data they receive is accurate and actionable, elevating their confidence in administrative decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering both nationwide and local convenience, Accredited Drug Testing makes hair follicle testing easily accessible in Gilberton, PA. With numerous testing centers, businesses can quickly cater to their drug testing requirements, eliminating hassles associated with traditional scheduling.

This expansive reach allows organizations to streamline their hiring and compliance processes, ensuring swift access to necessary testing services whenever and wherever needed, maintaining efficiency in operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

For individuals and businesses in Gilberton, PA, hair follicle testing offers a simple and confidential process. From ordering tests to collecting samples and receiving results, the procedure is designed to be efficient and protect personal privacy.

The straightforward nature of the process reduces stress and ensures users feel comfortable knowing their data is secure. Clear procedures and discreet handling of results make hair testing a preferred option for managing sensitive testing requirements.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Gilberton, PA, ensures affordable pricing for hair follicle tests, making this top-tier service accessible to companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing allows organizations to adopt hair testing without breaking the budget, ensuring no compromise on safety and compliance.

The company also offers fast turnaround times, enabling quick decision-making based on reliable testing results. With economic value and speed, businesses can maintain peace of mind and keep operations running smoothly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Gilberton, PA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and reliability. Precision is crucial; this method ensures accurate detection of substances, offering a level of confidence not often matched by other tests. Employers can depend on these results for quick hiring decisions, ensuring workplace safety and efficiency.

With hair testing, results come fast, enabling organizations to promptly manage their workforce. Hair follicle tests boast unmatched accuracy, assuring businesses in Gilberton, PA that they are armed with credible data for reliable operations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Gilberton, PA, aligns perfectly with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind for employers. By using this reliable testing method, companies can ensure compliance with legal guidelines and reduce risks of litigation connected to workplace incidents.

This compliance enhances overall safety and reinforces a productive work environment. Hair testing assists in preemptively identifying potential safety hazards, supporting proactive management of workforce health and legal adherence.

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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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