Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Greensburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an instrumental method for detecting substance use. Hair captures a prolonged chronology of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When extracted near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and samples are easily transported.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil), collected nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or more extensive panels beyond 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using precision scales. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. When we specify head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four principal phases in laboratory drug test result processing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system, verifying it was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any necessary information entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening consists of a preliminary check for illicit drugs. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that indicate a positive result during Screening must be confirmed with further analysis.

Should a sample indicate positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is one of the most complex methods.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing process prior to confirmation when necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair directive and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug intake up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection windows of urine tests.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test proves to be notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Reflects usage history: It offers insight into drug usage trends over time, not just immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: There is a 5-7 day timeframe before drugs become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variations in outcomes: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine analysis in South Greensburg, PA, the distinctions are clear. Hair testing provides longer detection periods and heightened reliability, effectively surpassing urine tests.

Superior Detection
Employers in South Greensburg are increasingly opting for hair follicle tests due to their robust detection capabilities, ensuring a comprehensive assessment over urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In South Greensburg, PA, hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection window. It offers insights into substance use over a 90-day period, providing a detailed understanding of an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window
Employers in South Greensburg benefit from the 90-day detection window, aiding informed decisions based on comprehensive substance use histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In South Greensburg, PA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution, minimizing the risk of samples being adulterated. This method guarantees reliable and unquestionable outcomes.

Tamper-Resistant Advantage
The integrity of hair follicle testing in South Greensburg ensures confidence with results that are both reliable and resistant to manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers are readily available nationwide, including South Greensburg, PA, providing convenient access for all. This ensures straightforward and hassle-free testing procedures.

Convenience Nationwide
With easily accessible testing locations nationwide, residents of South Greensburg can experience seamless and efficient testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

In South Greensburg, PA, our process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From order to result, we prioritize privacy while ensuring a user-friendly experience.

Simplicity and Privacy
Hair testing in South Greensburg provides a straightforward, confidential testing process, addressing privacy concerns and optimizing user convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and quick turnaround, our services in South Greensburg, PA provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring peace of mind through competitive rates.

Affordable Excellence
Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround makes our hair follicle testing in South Greensburg an exceptional choice for businesses seeking value and assurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In South Greensburg, PA, hair follicle testing ensures speed and precision, providing fast and reliable results. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unparalleled, making them a favored choice for discerning employers and legal institutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable
Employers in South Greensburg place trust in hair follicle tests for their swift and precise evaluation. This method covers comprehensive detection, enhancing workplace safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in South Greensburg, PA, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, it mitigates legal risks and promotes a safer work environment.

Compliance Assured
Using hair testing in South Greensburg helps businesses comply with regulations, enhancing workplace safety and reducing potential liabilities.

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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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