Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newfoundland, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month window for detecting alcohol and substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, the same amount of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result entails four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This process includes confirming the sample was securely sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data that the electronic chain of custody lacks.

Screening consists of a swift initial assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally viable. Any samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging practice to execute.

Confirmation of a positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, thus ensuring more accurate results.
• Chronological data provision: It can indicate a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent intake: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Tests in Newfoundland, PA
Hair follicle tests offer higher accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine testing. Hair analysis can detect a broader range of drug types and consumption patterns, giving a clearer picture of an individual's substance use. Employers in Newfoundland benefit from this approach's superior detection capabilities, ensuring a more dependable assessment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Newfoundland, PA
One of the greatest advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers a comprehensive understanding of an employee's substance history. The extended period provides a thorough account of an individual's drug use, benefiting workplace safety and decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Newfoundland, PA
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering. The sample collection process is observed, minimizing the chances of adulteration. This ensures results are reliable and unquestionable, providing employers in Newfoundland with confidence in their drug screening outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Newfoundland, PA
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures quick and easy access to hair follicle testing services. In Newfoundland, PA, our local locations provide convenient and hassle-free options for all testing needs, making the process seamless for individuals and businesses.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Newfoundland, PA
The hair follicle testing process in Newfoundland is straightforward and respects privacy. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed to be easy and confidential. This ensures a smooth experience for individuals worried about privacy and processing efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Newfoundland, PA
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes in Newfoundland, PA, providing peace of mind and cost-effective solutions for companies looking to maintain compliance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Newfoundland, PA
Hair follicle drug tests in Newfoundland deliver swift and precise results. Their high accuracy makes them a trusted choice in detecting substance use. This method's speed and reliability ensure companies can make informed decisions quickly and confidently, enhancing their drug testing processes significantly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Newfoundland, PA
Adopting hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety by offering an accurate assessment of employees' substance use. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are maintaining a secure and compliant work environment.

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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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