Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marion Center, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a significant tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the case of unavailable scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, it refers only to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of drug test results comprises four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary input of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening demand further confirmation.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Cheating is difficult: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, yielding more accurate results.
• Offers historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, instead of merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variance: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

While traditional urine tests have been standard, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages now preferred in Marion Center, PA. Superior detection accuracy and a longer testing window make hair tests a more reliable option compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In the realm of drug testing, extended detection is a valuable benefit of hair follicle testing in Marion Center, PA. With capabilities reaching up to 90 days, employers can glean a broader insight into substance use history, promoting informed and comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Marion Center, PA, offer a tamper-resistant method, significantly decreasing the risk of sample adulteration. This pairing of reliability and unquestioned integrity in results supports unwavering trust in testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of our testing services is manifested through widespread locations, including local sites in Marion Center, PA. Our nationwide network ensures a seamless and hassle-free approach to accessing drug testing whenever required.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Marion Center, PA, is designed to be simple and confidential. This ensures ease of ordering, administering tests, and receiving results, respecting privacy concerns and user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Marion Center, PA benefits from hair follicle testing which offers affordable pricing models coupled with fast turnaround times. This provides exceptional value and is adaptable to businesses of varying sizes seeking cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results in Marion Center, PA. These tests excel in precision, offering high accuracy in detecting substances. Prompt results allow for timely decisions concerning substance use, facilitating efficient testing cycles.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance and peace of mind arising from effective workplace policies is a priority in Marion Center, PA. Hair follicle testing reassures stakeholders by aiding in the adherence to drug-free workplace environments, fostering legal assurance and safety augmentation.

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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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