Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mattawana, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use for about a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, including roughly 200 hair strands close to the scalp (comparable to a #2 pencil) yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, or beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. The term head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab's database, verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for substances of misuse. Though Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a confirmed screen is necessary for legal acceptance. Samples that preliminarily test positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples preliminarily positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique.

Confirmation for any positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated based on CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Tracks historical usage: It provides an overview of drug use over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent usage detection: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to be noticeable in hair.
• Costly: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the assessment involves analyzing the hair strand and not the follicle located under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mattawana, PA, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its extended detection period and greater reliability. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short-term detection, hair testing offers a comprehensive view of drug history.

This method's accuracy surpasses that of traditional urine testing, making it the preferred choice for organizations upholding strict substance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing in Mattawana, PA, offers an extended detection window that reaches up to 90 days. This provides a broad understanding of an individual's substance use, assisting employers in making informed decisions.

This extended timeline is invaluable for employers seeking a full picture of potential employees' drug history, surpassing the limited range of other tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the risks of sample adulteration in Mattawana, PA. The method provides nearly foolproof and incontestable results, widening confidence in the outcome's accuracy.

Thanks to this method’s integrity, attempted manipulation or cheating is almost impossible, maintaining the reliability of drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Operating in Mattawana, PA, we boast a network of convenient nationwide testing locations ensuring easy access to services. Our centers provide quick and hassle-free testing experiences to meet your needs efficiently.

Our expansive reach simplifies the testing process, ensuring seamless service accessibility without geographical constraints.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mattawana, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy protection. From ordering to test-taking and receiving results, our seamless procedure addresses privacy concerns through every step.

This user-friendly method ensures participants feel comfortable and at ease, maintaining the confidentiality of their results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Mattawana, PA, offers affordable pricing and a fast turnaround. We provide exceptional value for companies through competitive pricing and quick result delivery, accommodating enterprises of all sizes.

This cost-effective solution ensures organizations reap maximum benefits, ensuring long-term compliance and reassurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mattawana, PA, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method's precision in identifying substance use is unparalleled, making it a preferred choice for thorough drug screening.

The test's ability to precisely detect traces of substances ensures minimal error margins, providing employers and authorities confidence in the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Mattawana, PA, experience compliance and peace of mind by implementing hair follicle testing. This helps in adhering to drug-free policies and reducing legal concerns associated with workplace drug use.

Deploying this testing strategy boosts workplace safety and can significantly lower risks, given its alignment with occupational health regulations.

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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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