Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Linesville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a formidable approach for unveiling drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair offers around a 90-day detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and uncomplicated to transport.

A 1.5-inch strand sample, consisting of approximately 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional configurations, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is best to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial and underarm).

Process Overview

The primary phases in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into the lab's processing system. It entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient approach for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs further confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples presumptively flagged as positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmatory testing.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample to undergo Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than seen in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug analysis is the most challenging technique to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can unveil drug intake for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Reduced chance of tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test proves very challenging, ensuring result accuracy.
• Offers historical usage data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair about 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Linesville, PA, the benefits of hair follicle testing over urine testing are vast. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy, being able to trace substance use over a longer term. It surpasses urine tests by identifying sustained patterns of use.

When compared to urine analysis, hair testing not only increases reliability but also helps employers better verify a candidate's drug history. Avoiding false negatives and ensuring genuine results define its superiority.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection period of hair follicle testing in Linesville, PA, allows it to track substance usage for up to 90 days. This offers employers a broad perspective on the long-term behaviors of employees or job applicants.

With its 90-day detection window, hair follicle testing provides employers insight into substance use histories, supporting more informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Linesville, PA, hair follicle drug tests minimize the possibility of tampering, ensuring highly credible results. Their design inherently reduces risks of adulteration, distinguishing them from other test methods.

The integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched due to its resistance against the tampering seen with other methods, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and unchallenged.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Linesville, PA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience with widespread nationwide locations. Accessing testing services is streamlined, providing quick and hassle-free experiences.

Our expansive network of testing centers enables simple coordination, whether locally in Linesville or across the country, easing the testing process for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Linesville, PA, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and private. Our straightforward procedures are designed to protect confidentiality, ensuring worry-free participation.

Confidentiality is paramount in our hair follicle testing, with easy-to-follow steps from ordering to result retrieval. Privacy concerns are effectively addressed, promoting ease of access for individuals.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Linesville, PA, with rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our frameworks provide exceptional value, catering to diverse company needs.

With affordable rates and swift processing, we assure organizations receive fast results without sacrificing quality, supporting budget-conscious enterprises.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Linesville, PA, hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in their accuracy and speed. These tests exhibit a high precision in identifying substance use, making them an ideal option for employers seeking fast results.

Focusing on both precision and expediency, hair follicle tests quickly deliver reliable outcomes. This capability allows businesses to maintain a drug-free environment without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Linesville, PA, find assurance with hair follicle testing through robust compliance to drug-free policies. This approach mitigates legal exposure, fostering a more secure working environment.

By employing hair follicle testing, companies adhere to workplace standards, effectively managing risk and securing a safe, compliant 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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