Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Orrtanna, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained close to the scalp, it can provide up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG and enhancements, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it's specific to scalp hair alone. Body hair includes all other hair variations (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This covers checking that the specimen was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening conducts a preliminary rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial collection and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over urine testing in Orrtanna, PA. The unique capability of hair tests lies in their superior accuracy and reliability in detecting drug and alcohol use. Unlike urine tests, which may only detect recent use, hair testing can illustrate patterns of use over a longer period, making it the preferred choice for employers and authorities requiring precise screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Orrtanna, PA offers an extended window of detection, up to 90 days. This testing method grants employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history, surpassing the limitations of urine testing. Employers can thus make informed hiring and policy decisions based on a thorough understanding of applicants or employees' past drug involvement.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a key advantage in Orrtanna, PA. Unlike other testing methods, which can be susceptible to sample manipulation, hair tests significantly curb any risks of adulteration. This reliability ensures that the test results are unquestionable, bolstering trust in the screening process for all parties involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Orrtanna, PA, and nationwide, our drug testing centers provide unmatched convenience. With an extensive network of locations, accessing testing services is swift and straightforward. This ease of access ensures hassle-free experience for employers and individuals seeking reliable and fast testing services, regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Orrtanna, PA is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step maintains privacy and ease for those involved. This straightforward approach alleviates concerns of confidentiality, enabling a seamless experience throughout the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Orrtanna, PA provide excellent value for businesses. With affordability combined with rapid result delivery, companies can ensure effective drug screening without compromising on budgetary constraints, making it ideal for businesses of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Orrtanna, PA, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests are noteworthy. These tests stand out due to their ability to deliver quick and accurate results, which makes them indispensable for employers seeking reliable substance use verification. With high detection accuracy, hair follicle tests ensure dependable results that greatly assist in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies is crucial for employers in Orrtanna, PA. Hair follicle testing plays a vital role in this, offering peace of mind by reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. By integrating hair tests into their policies, companies secure compliant operations and foster a safer work environment for 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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