Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective tool for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a timeline of alcohol and other substances by embedding markers within the strands of hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process of evaluating a drug test in the laboratory comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial phase of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped accurately, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry tasks not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires further confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples yielding presumptive positive results during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common reference to "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing in New Bedford, PA, are significant. Hair tests have a superior detection accuracy, offering results that are difficult to manipulate. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a much longer detection time, making them a more reliable choice for employers and courts seeking thorough information.
With its extended detection window, hair follicle testing offers a detailed view into an individual's substance history. This method detects drugs for up to 90 days, a period vastly longer than urine tests. In New Bedford, PA, this gives employers a more comprehensive understanding of an employee's or applicant's past substance use.
Hair follicle testing in New Bedford, PA, is tamper-resistant, providing a testing method that's exceptionally hard to adulterate. This ensures that the results are both reliable and unquestionable, making it a preferred choice for those looking to eliminate the risk of interference typically associated with other testing forms, like urine tests.
Our convenient testing centers span nationwide, offering residents and businesses in New Bedford, PA quick and easy access to reliable drug testing services. The widespread availability ensures that hair follicle testing is hassle-free, making the process straightforward from appointment to results.
In New Bedford, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is designed to uphold privacy and ease of use, ensuring that concerns about confidentiality are addressed upfront, making it an attractive choice for all.
Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in New Bedford, PA delivers both affordable and fast turnaround. Our efficient service provides great value, ensuring companies, regardless of size, can access drug testing services without compromising on speed or reliability.
In New Bedford, PA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swift delivery of results. Unlike urine tests, a hair test provides high accuracy in detecting substance use, offering a reliable assessment of drug consumption history. This method reduces waiting time, enabling quick decisions in both personal and professional contexts.
Employers in New Bedford, PA, can achieve compliance with workplace drug-free policies more effectively through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks, enhances safety within the workplace, and provides employers with peace of mind knowing their drug-free policies are being upheld accurately.
