Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Leetsdale, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting record of substance use by containing biomarkers within its growing strands. When taken near the scalp, these samples can offer a detection period of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (around the width of a #2 pencil), gathered near the scalp will provide 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, this refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the sample’s initial processing into the lab system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While being an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples that are presumptively positive at Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This involves recovering drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive result from screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptive positive are cleaned before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests capture drug use for as long as 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a more limited detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, which enhances the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical data: This method shows a drug usage pattern over time, not limited to just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher expenses than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the process actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Leetsdale, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in numerous ways. Most notably, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Employers and professionals seeking dependable results quickly realize that hair tests provide a vast improvement over older methods.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most advantageous features of hair follicle testing in Leetsdale, PA, is its extended detection window. With the capability to uncover drug use for up to 90 days, employers can obtain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. This lengthy period surpasses traditional methods, lending more substantial insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Leetsdale, PA sees significant advantages with tamper-resistant hair follicle testing methods. This testing substantially diminishes the chance of sample manipulation, ensuring results are dependable and indisputable. Such security in testing protects the integrity of the process, making it a preferred method in sensitive settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers, including those in Leetsdale, PA, makes testing services easily accessible. Clients enjoy the benefits of quick and hassle-free testing processes, no matter their location. Such comprehensive coverage simplifies testing logistics for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Leetsdale, PA, the simplicity and confidentiality of hair follicle testing are assured. The process for ordering, participating, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns. This ease of use reassures participants that their privacy is esteemed throughout their testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, Leetsdale, PA residents and businesses benefit from affordable hair follicle testing. Swift turnaround times provide excellent value, optimizing peace of mind and efficiency for organizations of varying sizes. Cost-effective solutions ensure that testing meets client needs without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Leetsdale, PA, hair follicle testing is known for its speed and precision. This method guarantees high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing swift results to employers and individuals alike. The reliability of these tests sets a standard in the industry, offering confidence in the accuracy of the detected substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Leetsdale, PA gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing compliance. This testing fashion aligns with drug-free workplace policies effectively, cutting down legal vulnerabilities and promoting a safer work environment. Hair follicle testing not only ensures compliance but also contributes to overall workplace safety.

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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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