Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nether Providence Township, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is recognized as a potent method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can present nearly a 3-month interval for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unattainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When indicating head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair references all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory progression of a drug test outcome consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary handling of a sample into a lab's system. It encompasses checking that the sample was secured and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any supplementary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody arrangement.

Screening involves an initial rapid examination for substances of misuse. Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage in most cases, however, a positive result needs verification for judicial acceptance. Any samples that appear positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a sample is initially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection timeline.
• Hard to deceive: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, boosting result accuracy.
• Yields historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of substance use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Disparity in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually scrutinizes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Hair follicle tests in Nether Providence Township, PA, provide unmatched advantages over traditional urine testing. With superior detection accuracy and reliability, hair testing excels by offering a more comprehensive and unobtrusive approach.

The extended detection window, typically up to 90 days, and the inability to easily alter or influence the sample make hair tests a preferred choice in Nether Providence Township for those seeking thorough drug use analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Nether Providence Township, PA, is unmatched in its ability to trace drug use over prolonged durations, capturing usage data for up to 90 days. This feature grants employers a detailed and long-term perspective of a candidate or employee's substance records.

The extended detection period of hair tests provides a significant advantage, offering comprehensive insight into past drug use and ensuring informed decisions for businesses and organizations in the area.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The hair follicle drug test in Nether Providence Township, PA, effectively reduces the risk of sample tampering. It stands as a robust method that delivers indisputable and dependable results.

Its tamper-resistant nature ensures that the integrity of the sample remains uncompromised, offering confidence and accuracy in the drug testing process and minimizing potential fraudulent activities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Nether Providence Township, PA, our expansive network of testing centers provides seamless access to drug testing services, ensuring efficient and hassle-free experiences.

Whether locally situated or throughout the nation, our strategically placed facilities guarantee expedient and uncomplicated availability of testing, catering to a wide range of needs conveniently and effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Nether Providence Township, PA, engaging in a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. The process for ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results is designed to protect client privacy at every step.

This user-friendly approach ensures ease of use, making it a comfortable experience for participants while maintaining the utmost confidentiality of their sensitive data.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Nether Providence Township, PA, our hair follicle testing services stand out for competitive pricing and prompt results, ensuring excellent value.

With affordable options and rapid delivery of results, both individuals and companies, regardless of their size, benefit from reliable testing solutions that offer peace of mind and great return on investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Nether Providence Township, PA, hair follicle drug tests are noted for their precision and swiftness. Offering high accuracy in identifying substance use, these tests ensure professionals gain a clear understanding of any drug consumption.

The quick turnaround of hair testing means results are delivered promptly, giving individuals and organizations in Nether Providence Township confidence in the reliability of the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Using hair follicle testing for workplace drug testing in Nether Providence Township ensures adherence to drug-free policies and enhances safety while reducing legal risks.

Employers in the township gain peace of mind knowing they are compliant with stringent policies, promoting a safer and more productive workplace and maintaining a strong stance against drug 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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