Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harmony Township, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands can encapsulate biomarkers of alcohol and drugs within the growing fibers, offering a historical record. Sampling hair from near the scalp can yield a detection period of up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and facilitates convenient transportation.

A 1.5-inch sample containing about 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides roughly 100mg, suitable for thorough screening and verification. For EtG, additional panels, or over 10-panel testing, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, collecting an equivalent amount of body hair is advisable. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key procedures in processing drug test results in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the introduction of a sample into a laboratory system, verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any needed data entry missing from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid test for drug presence. Although Screening offers a cost-effective assessment for most samples, positive findings need confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening require further verification.

If a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair from the original specimen is used for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), posing a challenge in hair drug screening methodology.

Confirmation of positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, receives evaluation under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing identifies drug usage for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Reduced likelihood of falsification: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage pattern: It provides insights into drug usage trends over extended periods rather than immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Exclusion of recent usage detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing bears higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the 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 in Harmony Township, PA
When analyzing hair follicles, this drug testing method excels in delivering comprehensive results. It offers superior accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Hair tests enjoy a longer detection period, allowing for a deeper insight into one's substance use history. Employers, courts, and rehabilitation centers can trust hair follicle tests for dependable results, making urine testing a less advantageous option.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Harmony Township, PA
Hair follicle testing provides a pronounced advantage with its extended detection window, able to track drug history for up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use, going beyond the limitations of other testing methods. Such extensive data are crucial in assessing an applicant's or employee's past behaviors and ensuring drug-free environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Harmony Township, PA
The integrity of hair follicle drug tests provides a strong barrier against sample adulteration. This testing approach guarantees that the results are reliable, straightforward, and untainted. With supervised sample collection and the inherent difficulty in altering hair samples, organizations can trust in the authenticity of the outcomes, reducing the possibility of deception.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Harmony Township, PA
The accessibility of hair follicle testing is unparalleled, with numerous centers established nationwide and locally. This network ensures that individuals can effortlessly access reliable testing services. Whether near or far, accessing a testing location is uncomplicated and hassle-free, allowing for rapid and convenient testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Harmony Township, PA
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and respectful of privacy. With confidentiality at its core, this seamless procedure from ordering to results delivery ensures user comfort and security. The test's simplicity ensures that individuals can easily engage with it while being assured of their personal data's protection and having peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Harmony Township, PA
With competitive pricing models, hair follicle testing offers value without compromising on speed and efficacy. The rapid turnaround times make this method appealing for businesses of any size. This cost-effective solution provides quick insights, reinforcing the choice of hair testing as a reliable and economically feasible option for drug analysis.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Harmony Township, PA
Hair follicle tests offer unmatched speed and precision in detecting substance use, ensuring accuracy in results. This method enables quick identification of drug usage, making it valuable for time-sensitive drug screenings. The reliability of results provides confidence to both individuals and institutions relying on drug testing.
Turn to hair follicle tests for their unparalleled accuracy in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Harmony Township, PA
Implementing hair follicle testing in the workplace bolsters compliance with drug-free policies, aiding employers in circumventing potential legal concerns. This method of testing enhances workplace safety and maintains trust within the workforce. By choosing hair follicle tests, employers are assured of their business interests being legally protected, while fostering a secure and productive 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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