Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harrisville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month period of alcohol and drug detection. Hair is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. When testing for EtG, add-ons, or using tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal phases in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s database. This involves verifying that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift evaluation for drug misuse. Although Screening is economical for eliminating drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Any samples with a presumed positive result in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample returns a presumed positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate method to conduct.

Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing as required before confirmation. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation prevailing ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for periods up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to manipulate results: It is very challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring the results are more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost consideration: Hair drug tests tend to be priced higher than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the amount of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Hair follicle tests stand out over urine tests by offering greater detection accuracy and reliability in Harrisville, PA. The extended detection window of up to 90 days provides employers with a broader insight into substance use compared to shorter urine test windows.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing is less susceptible to manipulation and offers a collection process that's nearly impossible to tamper with, making it a preferred choice for stringent screening needs.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Offering a detection window that can extend up to 90 days, hair follicle testing gives employers in Harrisville, PA a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. This long-term perspective is invaluable for assessing patterns of drug usage.

Such comprehensive insight is crucial for hiring trustworthy employees and maintaining a drug-free environment, allowing for more informed decision-making regarding potential candidates or current personnel.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration seen with other methods, rendering the results more reliable and trustworthy in Harrisville, PA. Its stringent collection process ensures sample integrity.

Courts and employers alike trust hair tests for their resistance to tampering, providing outcomes that you can depend on, supporting enforcement of workplace safety and legal compliance diligently.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Harrisville, PA, offers unparalleled convenience for clients seeking reliable testing services. This network ensures you can access testing easily and promptly.

Whether local or across the country, our widespread presence guarantees hassle-free testing processes, tailored to fit your schedule and needs, making compliance and screening more accessible than ever.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Ordering and receiving hair follicle drug test results in Harrisville, PA involves a straightforward and confidential process. We maintain the privacy of all individuals, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.

Our user-friendly approach ensures that from test ordering to result delivery, the procedures are hassle-free and discreet, assuring participants of their privacy and easing the complexities associated with testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our competitive pricing in Harrisville, PA ensures businesses of all sizes can access hair follicle testing without financial strain. Coupled with fast result turnaround, we provide great value to our clients.

These advantages enhance not only the affordability of the tests but also the rapidity with which accurate results are received, furnishing companies with indispensable insights promptly and cost-effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
Experience unparalleled precision and speed in drug testing with hair follicle methodology in Harrisville, PA. These tests are adept at offering highly accurate results, effectively identifying substance use with remarkable reliability.

Our hair follicle tests not only surpass traditional testing methods but also deliver swift results ensuring that you have the information you need promptly. This blend of accuracy and speed enhances decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Harrisville, PA ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and bolstering safety. This test is instrumental in maintaining a compliant and safe work environment.

For employers, it translates to peace of mind, knowing they are taking proactive steps against potential safety hazards and ensuring their workplace remains compliant with regulations and policies.

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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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