Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Midway, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair delivers a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch lock containing roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp weighs 100mg, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels above the 10-panel standard, 150mg of the hair is advised. It's recommended to measure the hair weight on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the same amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning embodies the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. This covers confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial swift check for substance abuse. While Screening is a low-cost technique to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection rate: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detectable period.
• Cheating resistance: Hair drug tests are notably challenging to rig, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a timeline of drug use over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot trace recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other types of drug testing.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being known as "hair follicle tests", the assessment evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why opt for hair follicle testing in Midway, PA? For one, it excels over urine tests, primarily due to superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a longer detection window, extending up to 90 days, thus giving a clearer picture of substance use. Additionally, the likelihood of tampering or erroneous results is significantly reduced.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Midway, PA, is a game-changer. Unlike urine tests, which offer a limited timeframe, hair testing covers drug use for as long as 90 days. This provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history, which is invaluable for employers seeking a thorough evaluation of potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the outstanding benefits of hair follicle testing is its tamper-resistance. In Midway, PA, this method drastically cuts down the chances of sample adulteration. Unlike urine samples that can be altered, hair samples are collected in a closely observed process, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the forefront with our nationwide and local testing centers in Midway, PA. Access to testing services is streamlined and hassle-free, ensuring swift appointment scheduling and testing processes. Whether you're downtown or in the surrounding areas, reliable service is within reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Midway, PA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving the results, every step prioritizes the client's privacy and ease of use. Clients can rest assured that their information is secure and the procedure is straightforward, eliminating any concerns of complexity or breaches in confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Midway, PA, present excellent value for businesses of all sizes. We understand budget constraints and strive to provide competitive rates without compromising on service quality or speed, ensuring that businesses can maintain efficiency and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Midway, PA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and swiftness. These tests boast a high accuracy rate in identifying substance use, providing reliable results swiftly.

• The state-of-the-art technology used ensures minimal false positives.
• Fast turnaround ensures that results are promptly delivered, aiding in timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Midway, PA, utilizing hair follicle testing means compliance and assured peace of mind. It aligns with drug-free workplace policies, mitigates legal risks, and promotes a safer work environment.

• Ensures adherence to regulations.
• Reduces potential liabilities linked to workplace accidents due to substance abuse.

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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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