Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Bethlehem, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a historical record of drugs and alcohol by encasing biomarkers in the growing hair fibers. When acquired near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate detection range of up to 3 months for substances. Hair is easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to initially recording a sample into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is economical to exclude drug usage in several samples, confirming a positive screen is necessary for legal credibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Should the sample test positive during the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial specimen undergoes preparation for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at concentrations considerably lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing the most challenging procedure.

Positive screening confirmations are pursued using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positives receive a wash prior to confirmation as necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation gets reviewed according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can ascertain drug usage for as long as 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a limited detection window.
• Tough to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite challenging, ensuring the accuracy of results.
• Presents historical insight: It indicates a timeline of drug use over the course of months instead of recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not effective for recent use: Drugs become apparent in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels in South Bethlehem, PA. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests provide short-term insight, hair analysis captures drug use effectively over months, demonstrating its reliability.

Employers and authorities alike prefer hair follicle tests as they present a clear, extended picture of an individual's substance-related lifestyle, offering unbeatable accountability.

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window in South Bethlehem showcases the longevity of hair follicle testing. Where other methods falter, hair tests provide up to 90 days of detectable history for substance presence, an invaluable timeframe for employers.

Giving a detailed view into applicants or employees' substance use, this longer window empowers businesses with the insights for informed decisions, ensuring a responsible workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair tests in South Bethlehem are Tamper-Resistant, inherently reducing sample adulteration risks. This method ensures consistent reliability and authentic, unquestionable results.

Conducted under supervision, hair analysis fortifies the integrity of the sample, minimizing contamination risks and safeguarding the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations include centers in South Bethlehem, PA, providing easy access to reliable testing services. This widespread availability ensures testing is a straightforward and efficient task.

With numerous local centers, stakeholders can secure testing services without hassle, enjoying a seamless testing experience while maintaining compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

In South Bethlehem, the drug testing process is Simple and confidential. From ordering to result reception, the process is streamlined, prioritizing privacy and ease.

Users benefit from a process that respects confidentiality while ensuring straightforward execution, ideal for addressing any privacy concerns efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Known for Affordable Pricing and swift results in South Bethlehem, PA, our offerings provide excellent value across companies regardless of size. Fast turnaround time coupled with competitive pricing ensures satisfaction.

Businesses receive outstanding service without financial strain, reinforcing value and efficiency along with peace of mind through reliable, economical drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In South Bethlehem, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast and reliable outcomes. Precision in detecting substance use is crucial, and these tests excel in accuracy, ensuring no substance misuse goes unnoticed.

Highlighting both speed and accuracy, hair testing is optimal for confirming substance presence with fewer delays, offering timely results critical to various industries.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in South Bethlehem, hair follicle testing aids in Compliance with drug-free policies. It ensures adherence, minimizes legal liabilities, and fosters a safe work atmosphere.

Employers gain Peace of Mind knowing that this method reinforces safety and propriety within their business operations, aligning with robust policy adherence.

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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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