Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pocono Ranch Lands, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drugs presence by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can extend to about a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch hair portion, approximately 200 strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn’t obtainable, an equivalent body hair measurement can be gathered. When we discuss head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. The term body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug test report are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This covers ensuring the sample's secure sealing and correct shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of misuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for it to be legally acceptable. Any samples that initially test positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive initial results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All suspect positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The complete lab sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests that have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insights: This method can indicate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite being known as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Discover why hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Their extended detection window and robust accuracy make them a more reliable choice for identifying drug use, ensuring a thorough verification of substance abuse history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA. This testing method provides employers with a comprehensive look at an individual's substance use history, covering a broader period compared to other testing types. This aids in making informed decisions about applicant or employee substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pocono Ranch Lands, PA, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method. This testing approach drastically lowers the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and unquestionable. Its robust nature provides confidence to all stakeholders, safeguarding against possible deceit.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Take advantage of convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA. Our widespread network of testing centers ensures quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, making it seamless for you to book and complete your tests without complications, anywhere you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential process in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA, for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results. We prioritize your privacy, making the process as straightforward as possible, addressing concerns of confidentiality while ensuring ease of use from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA. Our competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes, combined with swift processing that delivers peace of mind by meeting your urgent testing needs efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Achieving fast, accurate, and reliable results is possible with hair follicle testing in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA. Speed and precision are the hallmarks of hair tests, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use. This method ensures that results are both timely and dependable, catering to the needs for quick and thorough analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pocono Ranch Lands, PA, can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Adopting this method guarantees adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and boosting workplace safety. It is an effective way to maintain a secure and compliant work environment.

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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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