Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Wales, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an impactful approach for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair carries a prolonged record of alcohol and substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When procured near the scalp, the hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh is advisable. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, a proportional quantity of body hair can be gathered. We specify head hair as scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair pertains to other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core procedures in laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation stages.

Accessioning sets off the initial progression of a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample's seal and shipment were intact, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes a preliminary swift analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-savvy method to discard drug usage in the bulk of samples, positive screens necessitate confirmation for judicial validity. Samples that test presumptively positive through Screening demand a subsequent confirmation.

Once a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the main sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lesser concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing the most challenging technique to perform.

The Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, in comparison to urine evaluations which present a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug evaluation, enhancing the precision of results.
• Offers historical patterns: It delivers a history of drug consumption over a duration, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It takes an estimated 5-7 days for drugs to become observable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations generally cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variances: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair development can influence the drug metabolite concentration within the hair strands.

Note: Despite frequently being labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on 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 North Wales, PA is evident through several advantages.

• The longer detection window of hair testing offers superior accuracy compared to urine tests.
• With almost zero chance of sample tampering, this method provides reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

In North Wales, PA, the Extended Detection Window of hair follicle testing offers significant benefits.

• Employers gain a broader understanding of an individual’s drug history, as the test covers up to 90 days of substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The Tamper-Resistant Testing Method provided by hair follicle tests in North Wales, PA, greatly reduces the chance of sample manipulation.

• This testing method ensures credible and decisive results, maintaining the integrity of the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of our Nationwide Testing Locations, including local centers in North Wales, PA, highlights the accessibility of our services.

• With numerous centers available, accessing drug testing services becomes a straightforward process for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in North Wales, PA ensures privacy and ease of use for individuals undergoing hair follicle testing.

• The straightforward ordering, collection, and results receiving process caters to privacy concerns and user-friendliness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Wales, PA reflects our dedication to value and efficiency.

• Our competitive pricing and swift results offer excellent value, giving companies peace of mind without compromising their budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Wales, PA can be attributed to the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests.

• These tests not only deliver rapid results but also ensure high accuracy in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Wales, PA is achieved through hair follicle testing.

• By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, companies mitigate legal risks and enhance safety.

Drug Testing Near North Wales, PA

Chalfont, PA

Maple Glen, PA

East Norriton, PA

Blue Bell, PA

Brittany Farms-Highlands, PA

Hatfield, PA

Ambler, PA

Prospectville, PA

Worcester, PA

Kulpsville, PA

Center Square, PA

Spring House, PA

Montgomeryville, PA

Lansdale, PA

Gwynedd Valley, 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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