Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oreland, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance usage by encapsulating chemical markers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period for drugs and alcohol extending up to nearly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional checks, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four stages in lab analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves processing a sample into the lab’s workflow initially. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry the electronic chain of custody hasn’t covered.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid inspection for substances of abuse. Even though Screening can economically eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Presumptive positive samples in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

For samples that screen positive, more hair is retrieved from the initial collection for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of a positive screen is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The whole procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards compliance.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Tough to manipulate: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the credibility of the results.
• Gives historical insights: It provides a timeline of drug usage over time, rather than merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the level of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over urine tests in Oreland, PA. Unlike urine tests, which are often susceptible to evasion and limited by shorter detection windows, hair tests span up to 90 days of drug use history. This allows employers to obtain a clearer understanding of an individual’s drug history, ensuring a more reliable assessment of potential employees or staff members.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most compelling benefits of hair follicle testing in Oreland, PA, is its extended detection window. Able to reveal drug use over as long as 90 days, hair testing surpasses the brief detection periods of other methods. This extensive timeframe allows employers and organizations an in-depth view of an individual’s substance use history, providing valuable insights and fostering informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Oreland, PA, hair follicle testing is recognized for its resistance to tampering. This method of testing minimizes risks associated with sample manipulation, delivering indisputable results. Hair tests are collected under supervision, reducing the possibility of sample adulteration and ensuring that results reflect true substance use without interference.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing centers across America, including Oreland, PA, ensures convenient, hassle-free access to drug testing services. With local and nationwide locations, we offer quick and straightforward options for individuals needing hair follicle tests. Our strategic placement of testing sites makes meeting your testing needs effortlessly simple, no matter where you are situated.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Oreland, PA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering tests to collecting results, each step is conducted with utmost confidentiality. Our efficient process ensures that privacy is maintained at every stage, providing users with peace of mind and ease throughout their testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Oreland, PA, offer competitive pricing alongside fast results. Our cost-effective solutions provide businesses of all sizes with excellent value, making it a practical choice for drug testing needs. We are committed to delivering rapid turnaround times without compromising the accuracy and reliability our clients expect.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oreland, PA, hair follicle testing stands out for its swift and precise results. Hair tests are celebrated for their high reliability in identifying drug use, providing trustworthy results quickly. With meticulous detection capabilities, hair testing ensures a higher degree of accuracy compared to other testing methods, making it an invaluable tool for organizations seeking the best in drug testing technology.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Oreland, PA, contributes significantly to workplace compliance and safety. By ensuring adherence to drug-free company policies, employers can reduce potential legal liabilities and foster a secure work environment. The dependable outcomes of hair tests support a transparent and reliable drug testing process, providing peace of mind for both employers and employees.

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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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