Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Steelton, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair holds a historical record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about 3 months for substances like alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp typically yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample volume for screening and verifying results. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar volume of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug test results processing in the lab involves four significant steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes its initial integration into the laboratory's system. This step verifies that the sample was securely sealed and correctly shipped, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any necessary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although this is a cost-efficient method for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive finding necessitates confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Any samples that are deemed positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations than other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug tests.

A positive screening outcome is confirmed through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with positive indications undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized in line with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks historical use: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to trace recent use: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Variable results: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Referred to frequently as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains strictly to the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Steelton, PA lies in its enhanced detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing provides a widened window of detection, catching drug use long after exposure. The reliability and simplistic nature of this method heighten its preference among discerning employers and authorities. Compared to urine analysis, hair testing presents a nearly cheat-proof process, delivering trustworthy outcomes efficiently.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Steelton, PA, is a hallmark of hair follicle testing, capturing drug use across as much as 90 days. This extensive tracking makes it an invaluable tool for businesses eager to establish a genteel workplace free from substances. By furnishing an elaborate history of drug consumption, hair testing allows employers to gauge the consistency of an employee's behavior over time, thus informing their recruitment and retention choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Steelton, PA markedly reduces risks of sample meddling. Hair follicle tests shield the integrity of samples, yielding results that withstand scrutiny. The robust nature of hair samples, coupled with their rigorous collection, precludes substitution or adulteration. This assurance is paramount for organizations committed to upholding stringent testing protocols while ensuring the authenticity of every test administered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Steelton, PA cater to on-demand services, thanks to our broad network of testing centers. This ensures seamless, efficient access to screenings, eliminating travel or logistical burdens. Whether locally in Steelton or in another part of the country, our setup guarantees convenient and streamlined testing experiences every time, assuring clients remain compliant without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Steelton, PA for hair follicle testing guarantees privacy and simplicity. Ordering and taking the test, along with obtaining results, embody a streamlined approach that respects clients' confidentiality. Our procedures are amassed with minimal burden and sensitivity to personal information, reinforcing confidence among users who prioritize discretion and ease of handling.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround offerings in Steelton, PA highlight our commitment to delivering high value. Competitive pricing schemes paired with rapid processing times ensure that organizations, large or small, benefit from our services. Through tailored packages and expedited result delivery, clients gain peace of mind knowing they're supported by a cost-effective, result-oriented testing solution.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are guaranteed with our hair follicle testing services in Steelton, PA. These tests showcase remarkable precision and speed, accurately identifying substance use across a considerable timeframe. Utilizing advanced methodologies, hair tests stand out for their thoroughness, minimizing the chances of false results typically associated with other testing methods.
Our strategic approach assures swift access to results, thereby supporting timely decision-making for both individuals and organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Steelton, PA is rooted in the judicious use of hair follicle testing. This method ensures that companies adhere to drug-free workplace mandates, reducing liabilities and promoting safety. With its extended detection period, hair testing enables employers to enforce comprehensive policies effortlessly, lifting the burden of uncertainty tied to employees' substance habits.

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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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