Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Longwood, PA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch section composed of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The key phases in the lab execution of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This task includes ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening entails a preliminary quick examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening efficiently rules out drug usage in most samples, a positive indication needs confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples indicating potential positivity in Screening necessitate further verification.

Should a sample suggest a positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug examinations.

The confirmation of any positive Screening is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to alter, improving accuracy.
• Historical insights: These tests can reveal a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Longwood, PA.
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests by delivering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing can uncover long-term drug use, offering a broader perspective on an individual's substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Longwood, PA.
Hair follicle tests are capable of identifying drug usage within a window extending up to 90 days. Employers gain a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, offering a comprehensive view that informs hiring and retention strategies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Longwood, PA.
Hair follicle testing reduces the risk of sample tampering, ensuring test results are both reliable and unquestionable. This robustness is critical for maintaining the integrity of drug testing procedures, guaranteeing trust and confidence in the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Longwood, PA.
Our expansive network of testing centers offers convenience across the nation, including local sites in Longwood. This ensures easy access and a straightforward testing experience for businesses and individuals alike, reducing logistical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Longwood, PA.
Our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and private. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step prioritizes confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns and offering ease of use for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Longwood, PA.
We provide competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times. Our service offers excellent value, delivering peace of mind for companies of any size without compromising on quality or timeliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Longwood, PA.
Experience the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing businesses with dependable results that inform critical employment and workplace safety decisions. Hair testing enhances transparency and supports informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Longwood, PA.
Implementing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This approach mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing managers and employers with peace of mind and a safer working environment.

Drug Testing Near Longwood, PA

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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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