Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It can capture a long-term record of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the hairs as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reflect drug and alcohol usage for up to roughly three months. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount needed for both screening and verifying results. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair cannot be collected, the equivalent weight of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair; body hair encompasses other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four essential steps in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This process verifies whether the sample was sealed and transported accurately, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result from screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples indicating a potential positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a possible positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Every positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Renningers, PA, hair follicle testing triumphs over urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can uncover long-term substance use, providing more comprehensive insights into an individual's history.
Hair follicle testing in Renningers, PA, uncovers drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike shorter periods typical with urine tests. This prolonged detection window aids employers in thoroughly understanding an applicant's or employee's substance use background.
Hair follicle tests reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, offering reliable outcomes in Renningers, PA. By using a method nearly impossible to alter, the integrity of results remains intact, ensuring trustworthiness and authenticity in testing results.
With an extensive network of testing centers, Renningers, PA residents can enjoy hassle-free access to drug testing services. The convenience of local and nationwide facilities ensures swift and straightforward testing arrangements.
In Renningers, PA, the hair follicle testing process is both uncomplicated and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step respects privacy while ensuring a user-friendly experience that meets participants' expectations.
Delivering competitive pricing and a swift response time, hair follicle tests in Renningers, PA offer outstanding value. Beneficial for companies of varying sizes, the cost-effectiveness and rapid turnaround provides peace of mind and excellent service.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests set them apart in Renningers, PA. This method rapidly yields accurate results, effectively identifying substance use. Results are not just quick but also reliable, providing employers confidence in their hiring processes.
Adopting hair follicle tests in Renningers, PA, promotes adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This enhances safety and reduces legal risks, providing employers with peace of mind through compliance and improved work environments.
