Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Slatington, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reflect drug and alcohol use over a detection period of roughly 3 months. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches from about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. By head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Outline

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substances of misuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptive positive result at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Hair drug testing benefits:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Challenge to manipulate: It is nearly impossible to tamper with a hair drug test, which ensures more reliable results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It can illustrate a trend of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs typically take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Slatington, PA, hair testing clearly surpasses in accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide superior detection over a longer period, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window.

The advantages are evident; hair tests offer a longer detection period, making them a robust choice for employers aiming for precise results. Unlike urine tests, they are less susceptible to tampering and provide a complete picture.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Slatington, PA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longer detection period is especially useful for employers, providing insights into an employee's past substance use over several months.

Employers benefit from the comprehensive narrative that hair testing provides, capturing a longer history of substance use compared to other testing methods. This wide-reaching overview is integral for informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Slatington, PA, reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are more resistant to cheating, offering unquestionable results.

Employers and testing centers value the integrity of hair testing results. They provide peace of mind with minimal opportunities for sample manipulation—ensuring the authenticity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing locations, including Slatington, PA, obtaining hair follicle testing services is convenient and hassle-free. Our extensive network means you can access our services quickly, wherever you are.

Local access to testing centers ensures that no matter your location, we provide seamless and quick testing solutions. This widespread availability guarantees that testing is straightforward and accessible to all.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Slatington, PA, is both simple and confidential. Customers can expect a seamless experience from ordering, to sampling, to receiving results. Privacy is paramount at every step.

Confidentiality and simplicity are the cornerstones of our testing services. Our streamlined process ensures an efficient and discreet experience, addressing all concerns about privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Slatington, PA, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing matched with fast turnaround. Companies of all sizes benefit from our competitive pricing structures, ensuring excellent value.

We pride ourselves on quick delivery of test results, ensuring businesses and individuals receive necessary information swiftly. Our pricing is designed to cater to various budgets without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Slatington, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures that substance use is detected with high accuracy. Their speed is a major advantage for employers and individuals who need timely answers.

Results from hair tests are not only swift but also dependable, offering a comprehensive analysis that rivals traditional testing methods. Their reliability is unmatched, making them an ideal choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing in Slatington, PA, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By incorporating hair tests, employers minimize legal risks, enhance safety, and promote a healthier work environment.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that hair follicle testing delivers reliable results, supporting their efforts to maintain a drug-free workplace. It's a method that supports compliance effectively and efficiently.

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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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