Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Washington, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol usage over roughly a three-month period. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is simple.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It is preferable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By scalp hair, we mean specifically head hair, while body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any additional data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in the Screening phase need subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample appear positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are harvested from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening procedures.

Confirmation of any positive result from the screening phase utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: It is notably hard to manipulate the results of a hair drug test, enhancing their reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a pattern of substance use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs are typically traceable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Compared to other drug testing methods, hair drug tests tend to be more costly.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels detected in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Washington, PA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests due to its superior detection ability and reliability. While urine tests are useful, hair tests offer an expansive insight into substance use patterns.

The capability of hair tests to detect drug use over an extended period provides unmatched accuracy, while their authenticity is assured through stringent collection methods that prevent tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in North Washington, PA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing shorter testing periods of other methods. This extends insight into a subject’s drug use history, offering more substantial evidence for employers and authorities.

This prolonged window is invaluable for creating a thorough profile of past substance use, thereby assisting employers in making informed decisions about hiring or maintaining staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In North Washington, PA, hair follicle testing presents a tamper-resistant alternative, significantly minimizing the possibility of sample alteration. This ensures accurate representations of an individual's substance use.

Hair samples are collected in a controlled environment, enhancing the integrity of the test and delivering results that businesses and individuals can trust, free from doubts of adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including North Washington, PA, our services offer seamless access to hair follicle tests, making the process straightforward and convenient.

Such broad reach ensures that clients receive prompt and hassle-free service, underlining our commitment to providing accessible drug testing solutions across vast regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In North Washington, PA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively from test ordering to results delivery.

Clients appreciate the straightforward approach, which maintains confidentiality and ease of use, ensuring a smooth experience that respects individual privacy every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

North Washington, PA, enjoys the benefits of affordable hair follicle testing, coupled with expedited result delivery. This competitive pricing and efficiency serve businesses of all sizes, offering undeniable value.

Fast turnaround times enhance the appeal, ensuring industries can access reliable testing without financial strain, maintaining their operational peace of mind efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in North Washington, PA, delivers precision and rapid results, highlighting its efficiency and accuracy in substance detection. The method's meticulous process ensures that even subtle traces of drug use are accurately captured, providing reliable data.

With hair follicle tests, turnaround times are impressively swift, streamlining the process for clients who require immediate insights. This promptness makes hair testing the top choice for both individuals and businesses seeking dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Washington, PA, benefit from hair follicle testing as it aids in compliance with drug-free workplace mandates, reducing legal risks and fostering safer work environments.

The peace of mind derived from reliable testing practices allows companies to uphold stringent drug use policies, supporting overall organizational integrity and safety.

Drug Testing Near North Washington, PA

St. Petersburg, PA

Saint Petersburg, PA

Shanor-Northvue, PA

East Brady, PA

Northvue, PA

Emlenton, PA

Chicora, PA

Parker, PA

Eau Claire, PA

Boyers, PA

Karns City, PA

Petrolia, PA

West Sunbury, PA

Bruin, PA

Hilliards, 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