Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The application of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair strand. When clipped near the scalp, hair can present a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to approximately three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
An ideal specimen for screening and verification consists of a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure of laboratory processing for a drug test result encompasses four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step, involving the sample’s integration into a laboratory’s systems. This process includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any omitted data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to hold up in court. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require a further confirmation.
Should the Screening stage indicate a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples receive washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mont Alto, PA: Hair tests outshine urine tests in multiple aspects, becoming the preferred choice in Mont Alto.
Their advantage lies in enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, critical for various stakeholders.
Extended Detection Window in Mont Alto, PA: Hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage with its longer detection period.
Employees and applicants in Mont Alto can be assessed for drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a more extensive view of their substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mont Alto, PA: Hair follicle tests are robust against manipulation, ensuring reliable results.
This secure method is preferred in Mont Alto because it significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mont Alto, PA: Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access to services.
Both nationwide and local facilities ensure quick, hassle-free testing for Mont Alto residents.
Simple, Confidential Process in Mont Alto, PA: The hair follicle testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality.
Residents of Mont Alto enjoy a straightforward, private experience from ordering to results retrieval.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mont Alto, PA: Our pricing structure offers excellent value without compromising quality.
Companies in Mont Alto benefit from competitive rates and swift result delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mont Alto, PA: Hair follicle tests in Mont Alto assure rapid, precise, and dependable outcomes.
The accuracy of these tests in detecting substance use is unrivaled, due to their ability to trace drug use over a longer period and a more comprehensive range of substances compared to traditional methods.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mont Alto, PA: By adopting hair follicle testing, employers can maintain workplace safety and compliance effortlessly.
It provides employers with peace of mind, knowing legal risks are mitigated.
