Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Swissvale, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for preliminary and confirmatory tests. For EtG enhancements or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure of laboratory analysis for drug testing incorporates four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary stage where the sample enters the lab’s system. It involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial, swift evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug consumption in the majority of cases, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be court-acceptable. Samples that are potentially positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample indicates positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at much lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology to execute.

Final confirmation of any positive results from screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation if needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to alter a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It can demonstrate a history of substance use over time, not only recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Not suitable for recent use detection: It takes approximately 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may affect the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Swissvale, PA
Comparing hair follicle and urine tests, hair testing takes the lead with superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its extensive detection period surpasses urine tests considerably, making it the preferred option for true insights into an individual's substance use patterns.

While urine tests have their place, hair testing provides an unbeatable accuracy margin, capturing drug use history better than any traditional method. This reliability introduces confidence in interpreting test results, without the doubt often associated with urine-based testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Swissvale, PA
One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period, typically up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers with a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, setting it apart from other testing methods.

For those committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace, the long-term insight gained from hair follicle tests is invaluable. It enables a complete overview of a person's habits, supporting informed decision-making based on substantive history rather than recent behavior alone.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Swissvale, PA
Hair follicle testing stands out with its resistance to tampering. The collection technique prevents sample adulteration, thus ensuring the results are beyond reproach and genuinely reflect an individual's substance use.

This resilience to interference makes hair testing the gold standard in reliability. Employers can rest assured that what they see in the results mirrors the truth, providing peace of mind in knowing that the integrity of the sample has been preserved throughout the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Swissvale, PA
Our nationwide network of testing centers brings unequaled convenience, offering quick and straightforward access to drug testing services. This extensive reach ensures that individuals in Swissvale, PA, and across the nation can avail themselves of hassle-free testing.

Local facilities in Swissvale complement our national presence, making it easier than ever to access the necessary testing resources without the difficulty of travel or extended waiting periods.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Swissvale, PA
The hair follicle testing process is streamlined for simplicity and maintains confidentiality throughout. From ordering to test administration and results, every step is designed to respect privacy and ensure ease of use for all participants.

Addressing privacy concerns is paramount, and our process ensures that information remains secure. Participants can confidently partake in testing without fear of compromised data, promoting a trusted testing environment.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Swissvale, PA
Our competitive pricing structures coupled with swift return times on results offer remarkable value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can access the powerful advantages of hair follicle drug testing.

With rapid turnarounds, you can expect timely answers without financial burden. Employers appreciate the balance of cost-effectiveness and performance, seeing considerable benefits for minimal investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Swissvale, PA
Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise results, establishing them as an indispensable tool for those requiring quick and trustworthy testing solutions. Their ability to accurately identify substance use sets them apart, making them a favored choice for many organizations searching for reliable testing methods.

The commitment to accuracy in hair drug testing means results you can trust. This process eliminates possibilities for error, providing assurance that can inform significant decisions, especially in workplaces that prioritize safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Swissvale, PA
Adopting hair follicle testing for your workplace drug-free policies brings compliance, reduces legal risks, and enhances safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are meeting regulatory standards efficiently while also fostering a healthy working environment.

Using hair testing ensures proactive policy enforcement, maintaining a secure workplace culture. Employers benefit from reduced exposure to litigation and increased trust in the screening process, safeguarding both workers and business reputation.

Drug Testing Near Swissvale, PA

East Pittsburgh, PA

Homeville, PA

West Homestead, PA

Chalfant, PA

Munhall, PA

Churchill, PA

Homestead, PA

Whitaker, PA

Forest Hills, PA

Wilkinsburg, PA

North Braddock, PA

Braddock Hills, PA

Braddock, PA

Edgewood, 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