Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rankin, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are now viewed as a potent mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol usage. This approach offers insight into long-term use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. Sampling hair near the scalp can supply a detection period of up to almost three months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch section made up of roughly 200 hairs (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, an optimal quantity for examination and verification. For EtG, supplementary, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable mass of body hair might be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the opening processing of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This phase consists of verifying the sample’s correct sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAB Accessioning Number (LAN), and accomplishing extra data entry not processed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening allows for a rapid initial examination for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude substance use in many samples, a positive screen necessitates further validation to be acceptable in judiciary settings. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening step yields a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral liquid), making hair drug evaluation the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive outcomes from screening utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The collective laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and certification to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests have the ability to recognize substance use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that possess a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, leading to more precise outcomes.
• Delivers historical insights: It can uncover a usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent intake: It generally takes around 5-7 days for drugs to surface in hair follicles.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments usually come with a higher cost than alternate testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Aspects such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Rankin, PA proves superior to traditional urine tests. The enhanced detection accuracy sets hair tests apart, delivering more reliable results than urine tests.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a greater detection window and reduces the chance of evasion, thereby providing a more consistent assessment of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

In Rankin, PA, hair follicle drug testing allows for detection of substance use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This prolonged window provides employers with a comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance history.

This extensive detection period sets hair follicle tests apart, enabling a far-reaching evaluation of an individual's substance use habits, assisting employers in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Rankin, PA benefits significantly from hair follicle tests' tamper-resistant nature. This method drastically reduces the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results every time.

Unlike other methods, hair testing is less susceptible to being tampered with, providing results that stakeholders can rely on without question.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Rankin, PA, the convenience of hair testing is amplified by our extensive network of nationwide centers. Testing is accessible, ensuring a seamless experience without any hassle.

Our broad reach and local presence guarantee swift access to high-quality testing services, making it easier than ever for individuals and employers to conduct necessary tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Rankin, PA is straightforward and confidential, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed, while maintaining ease of use.

From ordering the test to the collection process and receiving results, every step prioritizes simplicity, ensuring participants feel secure throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Rankin, PA offers hair follicle testing at competitive prices, ensuring high value and peace of mind for businesses. The rapid turnaround of results further amplifies this value proposition.

Affordable pricing structures make these tests accessible to companies of all sizes, ensuring they can benefit without financial strain, while quick results aid in timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Rankin, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer a speedy and precise method to detect substance use. Their high accuracy ensures reliable results, making them a trusted choice for many employers and legal bodies.

With hair testing, results are swiftly processed, providing timely reports. This rapid response aids in making informed decisions promptly while maintaining a high level of test accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Rankin, PA ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety.

By adhering to hair testing, companies are afforded peace of mind as the risk of non-compliance is minimized, concurrently promoting a safe and secure working 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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