Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Philadelphia, PA

What it is, How it works

Viewed as a potent technique, hair testing is crucial for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair offers up to about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, not easy to falsify, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample roughly consisting of 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's size) nearest the scalp should provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be harvested. When mentioning head hair, it strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory evaluation of a drug test result involves four central steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody network.

Screening is the preliminary examination for potential drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical means for initially negating drug use across most samples, any positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.

For samples presenting as presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a significantly reduced concentration level compared to alternative methods such as urine or oral fluids, making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entirety of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests enable detection of drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty in evasion: Cheating a hair drug test proves very difficult, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data illustration: Such tests can show a drug use pattern over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug-testing modalities.
• Result variations: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", this test actually assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in New Philadelphia, PA
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. In New Philadelphia, PA, this method has become popular due to its extensive detection window and precision. Unlike urine tests, hair testing is not prone to manipulation, offering employers and other parties the best assurance in substance testing accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in New Philadelphia, PA
Hair follicle testing in New Philadelphia, PA, offers an extended detection window in identifying drug use extending up to 90 days. This long-term detection capability allows employers to gain a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance use history, providing better insights than other short-term methods. This feature proves invaluable in maintaining workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in New Philadelphia, PA
One of the foremost benefits of hair follicle testing is its tamper-resistant nature. In New Philadelphia, PA, this testing method dramatically reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, guaranteeing reliable and unquestionable results. This integrity in testing ensures that the outcomes are dependable, safeguarding against fraud and manipulation commonly seen in alternative testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in New Philadelphia, PA
The presence of multiple Accredited Drug Testing locations in New Philadelphia, PA, and nationwide ensures that individuals can access testing services conveniently. This network of centers means quick and hassle-free testing experience, providing ease and convenience to clients across the country. These centers are dedicated to offering straightforward and efficient service provision.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in New Philadelphia, PA
In New Philadelphia, PA, the process for hair follicle drug testing is designed to be simple and confidential. Clients can order tests with ease, and their privacy is prioritized throughout the process. Upon completion of the test, results are securely delivered, respecting the privacy concerns of individuals and organizations, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for everyone involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in New Philadelphia, PA
Accredited Drug Testing in New Philadelphia, PA, offers competitive pricing and efficient service with rapid results. The affordability and quick turnaround ensure excellent value, especially appealing to businesses of all sizes. Employers can trust that their drug testing needs will be met promptly and economically, enhancing overall satisfaction with the testing process.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in New Philadelphia, PA
In New Philadelphia, PA, Accredited Drug Testing offers hair follicle drug tests that ensure fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests excel in precision and speed, significantly outperforming other methods in identifying substance use. Employers benefit from the higher accuracy rates and quicker processing times that hair follicle testing provides over conventional tests.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in New Philadelphia, PA
Adopting hair follicle testing in New Philadelphia, PA, gives employers the peace of mind they aspire in ensuring a drug-free workplace. By using this testing method, businesses can comply with workplace policies efficiently, mitigating legal risks, and enhancing overall safety. Employers can be confident in the test's results, reinforcing their commitment to a safe working environment.

Drug Testing Near New Philadelphia, PA

Landingville, PA

New Boston-Morea, PA

Boston, PA

McKeansburg, PA

Renningers, PA

Mount Carbon, PA

Pottsville, PA

Orwigsburg, PA

St. Clair, PA

Palo Alto, PA

Port Carbon, PA

Middleport, PA

Cumbola, PA

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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