Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glen Osborne, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance intake, including drugs and alcohol. Hair retains an extensive record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within its growing strand fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and is effortless to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional tests, and screenings beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair denote scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system, ensuring it was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and complete any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, efficient check to identify drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples displaying presumptive positives in Screening require a confirmatory procedure.

In cases where a sample exhibits a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, rendering hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as needed. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated following both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designations and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug tests is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Records past usage: This method can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent usage undetectable: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually more costly compared to alternative testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis concerns the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Glen Osborne, PA: Hair testing offers clear advantages over urine tests by providing a broader detection timeframe and higher accuracy. Employers in Glen Osborne find hair testing to be more reliable for long-term substance detection, which assists in sustaining a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Glen Osborne, PA: Hair follicle testing can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. For Glen Osborne employers, this long detection window provides better insights than traditional methods, ensuring thorough background checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Glen Osborne, PA: Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of tampering. Employers in Glen Osborne rely on these tests for their robust defense against sample tampering, facilitating more trustworthy screening procedures and results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Glen Osborne, PA: Our testing centers are spread nationwide and available locally in Glen Osborne, ensuring that testing services are both accessible and convenient, eliminating logistical hurdles for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Glen Osborne, PA: Our hair follicle testing involves a straightforward and privacy-centered process, facilitating stress-free ordering, testing, and result receiving, while safeguarding clients' confidentiality in Glen Osborne.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Glen Osborne, PA: Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery make hair follicle tests an excellent option for businesses across Glen Osborne. Companies benefit from an exceptional balance of cost-effectiveness and rapid processing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Glen Osborne, PA: Hair follicle drug tests deliver prompt and precise outcomes, assuring employers about the substance use history of employees or prospects. With Glen Osborne's convenient testing locations, the reliability of results from our centers aids in making informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Glen Osborne, PA: Embracing hair follicle testing bolsters adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal complications and promoting safety. Employers in Glen Osborne gain confidence knowing they’re supported by compliant and thorough testing solutions.

Drug Testing Near Glen Osborne, PA

Bell Acres, PA

Moon, PA

Bon Meade, PA

Sewickley Hills, PA

Glenwillard, PA

Leetsdale, PA

Carnot, PA

Groveton, PA

Glenfield, PA

Sewickley Heights, PA

Edgeworth, PA

Coraopolis, PA

Sewickley, PA

Haysville, PA

Osborne, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews