Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Vernon, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug use by securing biomarkers in the strands of the growing hair. When collected near to the scalp, hair can offer up to an estimated 3-month period of detection for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to modify, and straightforward to send.

A sample of 1.5-inch containing roughly 200 strands of hair (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a rapid initial check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be considered valid in legal contexts. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening do necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is pulled from the original specimen and ready for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably tough, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical data: It can present a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mount Vernon, PA
Comparing hair testing to urine, the benefits are evident. Hair provides a longer detection window and better resistance against tampering.

In Mount Vernon, PA, hair testing's ability to reveal drug usage histories surpasses that of urine, demonstrating far superior detection accuracy and reliability for long-term analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mount Vernon, PA
Hair follicle testing remains a valuable tool for detecting drug use up to 90 days prior to testing. This extensive window gives employers insight into substance histories.

For those in Mount Vernon, this means a thorough understanding of an individual's habits, ensuring informed decisions based on solid historical data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mount Vernon, PA
The resilience of hair follicle testing lies in its resistance to sample tampering, providing authentic and trustworthy outcomes.

In Mount Vernon, PA, this makes it an ideal choice, as the methodology significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, enhancing analytical confidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mount Vernon, PA
For those in Mount Vernon, PA, and beyond, our comprehensive network guarantees easy access to testing services.

Our nationwide and local centers are designed for convenience, simplifying the testing process by providing quick and hassle-free service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mount Vernon, PA
In Mount Vernon, PA, initiating and completing a hair follicle test is made easy with our streamlined process.

The ordering, administering, and results phases respect client privacy, ensuring a smooth confidential experience at every stage for all users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mount Vernon, PA
Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery promise value and peace of mind for enterprises of various sizes in Mount Vernon, PA.

These benefits are achieved without compromising the integrity of the test, offering cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mount Vernon, PA
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched. In Mount Vernon, the methodology offers high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring results you can trust.

With a streamlined process, hair testing delivers straightforward answers swiftly, reinforcing its position as a leader in drug detection practices with swift turnarounds and excellent reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mount Vernon, PA
The implementation of haircut testing can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating potential legal challenges.

In Mount Vernon, this not only supports a safer environment but also reassures employers of their commitment to a substance-free organization.

Drug Testing Near Mount Vernon, PA

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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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