Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Braddock, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair retain biomarkers within their fibers, offering a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug usage. If hair is gathered near the scalp, it can reveal substance use over a detection span of as much as 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is present, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we are solely referencing scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (beard, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in the lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. It confirms the sample's sealing and shipping integrity, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial fast assessment for drug presence. Although cost-effective, Screening alone cannot confirm drug use for legal purposes; a positive screen mandates confirmation. Any samples that show a potential positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is initially positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original collection for the Extraction process. This phase retrieves substances from hair at significantly lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid analysis, making hair tests particularly challenging.

Positive results in screening demand Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Any virtually positive hair samples are washed before Confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and is aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Pros of Hair Drug Testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter timeframe.
• Tough to falsify: Manipulating a hair test is very tough, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers usage patterns: It highlights a timeline of drug use, not just recent activities.

Drawbacks:

• Lacks detection of recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the strand and not the follicle within the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Braddock, PA, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its extended detection period. Hair tests provide a comprehensive evaluation of substance use over three months, unlike the shorter detection window of traditional urine tests.

• Accuracy: Hair testing delivers reliable results, minimizing the risk of false reports.
• Dependability: Employers benefit from trustworthy data to enforce their policies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window presented by hair follicle testing in North Braddock, PA, is unmatched. By capturing a 90-day usage history, hair tests offer a comprehensive view of an individual's substance habits—valuable for employer assessments and policy adherence.

Comprehensive Analysis: This approach enables stakeholders to make well-informed decisions regarding potential hires and employee retention.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in North Braddock, PA, offer a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing. With a higher resistance to adulteration compared to other tests, these tests provide credible and verifiable results, maintaining trust and integrity.

• Secure Process: The difficulty in altering hair samples ensures a true reflection of drug use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing centers in North Braddock, PA, and nationwide offers unrivaled convenience. With easy access to our services, clients enjoy a seamless and efficient testing experience, no matter their location.

• Accessibility: Quick and efficient access to testing facilities simplifies the process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In North Braddock, PA, the process for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential. From scheduling a test to receiving results, privacy is respected at every step, ensuring user confidence and satisfaction.

• Confidentiality: Ensures that client information is protected and handled with utmost care.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing in North Braddock, PA, along with rapid turnaround times, makes hair follicle drug testing an attractive option for businesses. This economical choice doesn't compromise on quality or speed, providing valuable services for enterprises of all sizes.

• Cost-effective: Combines low costs with high-quality service, ensuring excellent value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In North Braddock, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and accurate outcomes. Due to their exceptional precision, these tests reliably detect substance use, ensuring no false negatives or positives. The speed with which results are processed allows both employers and individuals to make prompt, informed decisions.

High Accuracy is a significant advantage, as the robust methodology of hair testing minimizes error, providing assurance from the detection to the reporting phase.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In North Braddock, PA, hair follicle drug testing gives employers peace of mind, complying with workplace regulations for a drug-free environment. Minimizing legal risks and promoting safety, these tests help businesses adhere to lawful workplace practices.

• Policy Compliance: Ensures adherence to strict workplace regulations without compromises.

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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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