Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Landisburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from the area near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning consists of initially integrating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This process ensures the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result needs verification to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples that appear positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.

In cases where a sample appears positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this point, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to implement.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. From Accessioning to Verification, the entire lab procedure adheres both to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is quite difficult to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals use patterns: It can outline drug use trends over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to trace recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings typically cost more than other test types.
• Result variability: Variations in hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence the presence of drug residues in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Landisburg, PA

In comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, hair analysis provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. It offers a broader detection window and is less prone to tampering, thus delivering more comprehensive results for discerning past substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Landisburg, PA

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that can trace drug use over a 90-day period, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance history. For employers seeking a comprehensive assessment of a candidate's or employee's drug habits, hair analysis provides unmatched insight.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Landisburg, PA

Hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant approach, significantly reducing the occurrence of sample manipulation. The integrity of hair tests ensures that the results are trustworthy and unquestionable, which is crucial for maintaining high testing standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Landisburg, PA

With numerous testing centers across the nation and locally in Landisburg, we offer quick and hassle-free access to your testing needs. Our widespread availability ensures that drug screening is both convenient and efficient, reducing the time invested in obtaining tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Landisburg, PA

Our straightforward process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results ensures confidentiality and ease. Concerns regarding privacy and convenience are prioritized, making the testing experience seamless and secure for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Landisburg, PA

Offering competitive pricing and a quick result turnaround time, our hair follicle testing provides exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Achieving peace of mind through reliable drug testing shouldn't break the bank, and our services are priced with affordability in mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Landisburg, PA

With state-of-the-art technology, hair follicle testing provides precision and speed in drug detection. Employers in Landisburg benefit from highly accurate results, ensuring reliable substance use identification. This method offers quick outcomes, minimizing downtime and enhancing efficiency in the screening process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Landisburg, PA

Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and promotes enhanced safety in the workplace, providing reassurance for both management and employees alike.

Drug Testing Near Landisburg, PA

Boiling Springs, PA

East Waterford, PA

Thompsontown, PA

Duncannon, PA

New Kingstown, PA

Port Royal, PA

Newport, PA

Carlisle, PA

Blain, PA

Schlusser, PA

Plainfield, PA

Ickesburg, PA

Bloomfield, PA

New Bloomfield, PA

Loysville, 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