Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's growth. If collected close to the scalp, hair can furnish a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was sealed correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes an initial check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive result needs further confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples with a presumptively positive result during Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptively positive result in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is gathered for Extraction. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any Screening positive result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection span.
• Tough to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably difficult, rendering results more trustworthy.
• Supplies past usage data: It can exhibit a timeline of drug use over a duration, not solely recent utilization.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent usage: Drugs need roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Newburg, PA, the superiority of hair follicle tests over urine tests is clear. They provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, ensuring that drug use is effectively identified. Unlike urine tests, hair tests boast a significantly longer detection period and are less susceptible to manipulation, offering a comprehensive picture of substance use history and instilling confidence in the results.

Extended Detection Window

For employers and professionals in Newburg, PA, hair follicle tests present a significant advantage due to their extended detection window. These tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. This comprehensive look back helps make informed decisions based on a fuller understanding of an applicant’s or employee’s past behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Newburg, PA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests provides peace of mind. They significantly lower the risk of sample adulteration, producing reliable and definitive results every time. The difficult-to-tamper-with characteristics make these tests far superior to traditional methods, reinforcing their dependability in sensitive screening situations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide, including those in Newburg, PA, accessing hair follicle tests is convenient and hassle-free. These strategically located centers ensure that your testing needs are met quickly and efficiently, whether locally or across various cities, maintaining easy access to our comprehensive services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Newburg, PA is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy is upheld while remaining straightforward. From ordering to testing, and finally, receiving results, each step is designed to be user-friendly and confidential, addressing any concerns regarding privacy and ease-of-use seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing in Newburg, PA, our hair follicle testing ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Coupled with speedy turnaround times, we provide organizations with cost-effective, prompt solutions, reinforcing our commitment to quality and client satisfaction without compromising on reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Newburg, PA, offer fast and accurate results, ensuring confidence in the detection of substance use. Their remarkable precision is unmatched, swiftly identifying any illicit substances that may have been consumed. The rapid delivery of results adds to their appeal, making them a go-to choice for timely and dependable diagnostics.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Newburg, PA, find compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This reliable method supports drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risk and promoting a safe working environment. By ensuring adherence to these standards, businesses can focus on productivity, assured that their policies are both robust and enforceable.

Drug Testing Near Newburg, PA

East Waterford, PA

Greenwood, PA

Fannettsburg, PA

Guilford, PA

Chambersburg, PA

Plainfield, PA

Blain, PA

Tuscarora, PA

Scotland, PA

Dry Run, PA

Walnut Bottom, PA

Shippensburg, PA

Southampton, PA

Orrstown, PA

Shippensburg University, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews