Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Milligantown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now acknowledged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair creates a lasting record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers in the structure of the growing hair shaft. If collected near the scalp, hair can detect alcohol and other substances over a period of roughly three months. It is easy to collect hair samples, challenging to tamper with them, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for examination and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is advised. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair alone, while body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The drug testing process in the lab is divided into four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the early stage of incorporating a sample into a lab’s records. It entails confirming the appropriate sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to initially screen drug usage across most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening need subsequent verification.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are separated from hair in concentrations lower than those in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), showcasing why hair drug testing is a challenging procedure to execute.

Positive screening outcomes undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. Throughout the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation, assessments are performed according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Challenging to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug test outcomes is quite challenging, enhancing reliability.
• Yields historical insights: This method can reveal drug consumption patterns over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to trace recent use: The detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually pricier than other testing options.
• Result variability: Elements like hair hue and individual growth rate variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually evaluates the hair fiber and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Milligantown, PA, provides superior detection capabilities and reliability. Hair tests boast a longer drug detection period, offering a clearer picture of substance use. In contrast, urine tests fall short in their ability to capture long-term drug use, thus making hair tests a more comprehensive option for employers and other entities seeking accuracy.

Hair testing's detectability span and resistance to tampering combine to provide an unmistakable assessment, setting it apart from traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

In Milligantown, PA, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period gives employers a detailed view of an individual's drug history, surpassing the capabilities of other testing methods. Such a comprehensive view allows for informed decisions based on a clear understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use patterns.

By analyzing a longer span, hair testing delivers insights that short-term testing struggles to achieve, ensuring well-rounded results.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Milligantown, PA, offer a remarkable advantage as they are tamper-resistant. This testing method ensures that the risk of sample adulteration is significantly diminished, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. The robustness of this test means that employers can trust the outcomes without doubt.

The security it provides makes hair testing a crucial tool in maintaining accuracy and integrity in drug screening procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access in Milligantown, PA, with its nationwide and local testing facilities. Our extensive network allows for quick and effortless access to hair follicle drug testing services. Whether you are near or far, you can effortlessly locate a testing center, making the entire process hassle-free.

Our expansive reach means that communities everywhere can benefit from easy access to drug screening facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Milligantown, PA, the process for conducting hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step is designed to be user-friendly and protect individual privacy. This streamlined approach addresses and alleviates concerns about privacy and exposure during the testing procedure.

Users can count on a process that is not only straightforward but also secures their personal information diligently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Milligantown, PA, provides hair follicle tests with affordable pricing structures and quick turnaround times. Organizations, regardless of size, benefit from competitive rates without compromising on quality. This cost-effectiveness, coupled with fast results, offers excellent value and enhances employer peace of mind.

Employers can confidently invest in this robust drug testing method, assured of its financial feasibility and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Milligantown, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their rapid and accurate results, offering an excellent detection process that identifies substance use with high precision. This method stands out for delivering reliable outcomes swiftly, ensuring that employers and individuals receive the data they need without long waits.

Not only does this testing method ensure expeditious results, but it also guarantees a high level of accuracy. This precision makes it an indispensable tool for those seeking certainty regarding substance use detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Milligantown, PA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind. This method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety by ensuring that zero-tolerance policies are effectively enforced. Relying on such a robust testing process helps employers maintain a safe and secure work environment.

With its stringent adherence to standards, hair testing serves as a reliable component of employer compliance strategies.

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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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