Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glenburn, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the elongating hair strand. When acquired close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of approximately 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred sample amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening helps exclude drug usage for most samples economically, a positive screen needs confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is indicated as positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical insight: It illustrates a drug use pattern over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Results variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the scalp’s hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Glenburn, PA, offers advantages over traditional urine tests. The superior detection accuracy of hair testing:

• Covers a longer detection period.
• Is harder to manipulate.
• Provides consistent and reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Glenburn, PA, is a significant advantage. It can detect substance use for up to 90 days, facilitating a thorough review of an individual's drug history. Employers can gain insights beyond the temporary window offered by shorter-term testing methods, enhancing their decision-making processes.

• Long-term analysis benefits hiring.
• Comprehensive data informs compliance checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Glenburn, PA, present a tamper-resistant method of screening. The risk of sample adulteration is drastically reduced with hair testing:

• Samples are difficult to alter compared to urine.
• Observed collection assures sample integrity.
• Reliable results offer peace of mind for stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering unparalleled convenience in Glenburn, PA, our nationally available testing locations simplify access to drug testing services:

• Easy access with numerous local centers.
• Fast service, reducing the hassle associated with testing.
• Streamlined processes for quick turnaround.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Glenburn, PA, is simple and confidential, ensuring client privacy and convenience:

• Easy-to-follow steps for ordering and testing.
• Discreet handling of samples and results.
• Clear communication throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Glenburn, PA, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround in hair follicle testing, making it accessible without compromising quality:

• Competitive pricing ensures value.
• Quick results streamline decision-making.
• Cost-effective solution for companies of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Glenburn, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests boast high precision in detecting substance use due to their advanced analysis techniques.

• High accuracy ensures employers can trust the results.
• Quick processing of samples speeds up the hiring process.
• Reliable outcomes promote confidence in testing protocols.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Glenburn, PA, ensures compliance and provides peace of mind for employers. This method maintains a drug-free workplace:

• Reduces legal risks and enhances safety.
• Supports zero-tolerance policies.
• Boosts employer confidence in testing outcomes.

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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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