Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Leesport, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When procured near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample's weight. If head hair cannot be obtained, equivalent body hair may be used. Head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing procedure in a lab comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample in the lab's system. This step verifies proper sample sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any manual data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers an initial swift assessment for abused substances. While it provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples that are tentatively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a preliminary positive result at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This process retrieves drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug testing the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are washed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are very tough to cheat, lending more accuracy to the results.
• Provides usage history: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over some time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing strategies.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the subcutaneous follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Tests Excel Over urine testing, hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy. The reliability of hair testing ensures a more comprehensive analysis of substance use over time. This method boosts employers' confidence in screening processes, due to its ability to capture a wider historical record of drug use compared to traditional urine tests.

Hair tests outperform urine tests in Leesport, PA by offering heightened accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which may miss substances consumed days before testing, hair testing provides a robust detection period covering weeks to months of potential use, making it a preferred choice among various stakeholders.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Hair follicle drug testing offers a remarkable detection window of up to 90 days, giving employers in Leesport, PA a more detailed overview of an individual's drug use history. This long-term detection capability provides a comprehensive picture, maximizing the effectiveness of workplace drug policies and planning processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Using a hair follicle test drastically reduces the risk of tampering, providing results that are both reliable and irrefutable. This testing method is thwarted by neither adulteration nor substitution as commonly faced by urine tests. It offers security in Leesport, PA, ensuring that the integrity of testing is never compromised.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently positioned centers across Leesport, PA and nationwide ensure seamless access to hair follicle drug testing. With our established locations, getting tested is straightforward and hassle-free, making it easier than ever to integrate these vital processes into routine business procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential testing process suited for Leesport, PA residents. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step respects your privacy. The ease of use and discretion offered in this process provide reassurance to all participants, addressing confidentiality concerns adeptly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and speedy turnaround, our hair follicle drug testing services in Leesport, PA deliver outstanding value to businesses regardless of size. Competitive pricing coupled with swift result delivery ensures that employers receive quality service without financial strain or unnecessary delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is renowned for its high level of accuracy and speed, providing fast results that are essential for decision-making in Leesport, PA. The test is adept at detecting a range of substances with remarkable precision, ensuring that the findings are dependable and timely. Employers rely on these characteristics to uphold safety and reliability in the workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Leesport, PA gain significant compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method helps maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies, effectively lowering legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. It's a strategic choice towards safeguarding both employees and business interests.

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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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