Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Springmont, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding indicators in the hair strand as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness), taken closest to the scalp, results in 100mg of hair, which is optimal for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for drug test results is composed of four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's records. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data requirements not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening represents a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires verification for court acceptability. Any screen-positive samples necessitate further verification.

If a sample indicates potential positivity during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this procedure, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Verification of any positive screen results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before verification as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine testing offers a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair test to yield false results is exceedingly difficult, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It delivers insight into the pattern of drug use over time, rather than merely detecting recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing options.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair coloration and individual growth rates influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used, but the actual analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Springmont, PA, hair follicle testing triumphs over urine testing in many aspects. Hair tests offer unbeatable detection accuracy as they evaluate patterns of substance use over three months, unlike urine tests that only detect recent use. Additionally, hair testing offers superior reliability, ensuring no missed infractions, which is vital for organizations aiming to maintain a strict drug policy.

Extended Detection Window

Springmont, PA employers can count on hair follicle testing for a long-term view of drug usage—up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides potential insights into consistent patterns of substance abuse or confirms a clean history over a significant period, offering comprehensive understanding and aiding in better decision-making for new hires or ongoing employee assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Springmont, PA makes it a superior choice. Unlike urine samples, which can be easily tampered with, hair samples reduce the chance of adulteration, giving indisputable results. By choosing hair follicle tests, organizations can be assured of the authenticity of their testing processes and conclusions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with testing centers nationwide and locally in Springmont, PA. Accredited Drug Testing offers easy access to testing facilities, ensuring the process is quick and hassle-free. Whether for pre-employment or routine screenings, our extensive network ensures rapid testing, meeting the needs of clients efficiently and effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Springmont, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results are straightforward, maintaining privacy. This ease of use is crucial to encouraging participation and ensuring that individuals and companies can comfortably engage in the testing process without concerns of confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing services in Springmont, PA, along with fast turnaround times. Affordable pricing structures provide great value, ensuring both small and large companies can maintain budget-friendly testing regimes while securing peace of mind through our prompt and reliable services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Springmont, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision is unmatched, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use, crucial for employers and organizations aiming to ensure a drug-free environment. Hair testing is ideal for obtaining dependable data swiftly, allowing immediate decisions regarding employment and compliance to be made.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers in Springmont, PA. By adopting this testing method, businesses align with strict drug policies, effectively reducing legal risks and enhancing safety within the workplace. Hair testing represents a proactive measure to maintain a secure and legally compliant work environment, benefitting all stakeholders.

Drug Testing Near Springmont, PA

West Reading, PA

Shillington, PA

Wyomissing, PA

Colony Park, PA

Lincoln Park, PA

Montrose Manor, PA

Spring Ridge, PA

Wyomissing Hills, PA

West Wyomissing, PA

Sinking Spring, PA

Whitfield, PA

West Lawn, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews