Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tarentum, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method in detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers encapsulate biomarkers, offering an extended history of alcohol and drug use as the hair grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal usage for up to roughly a 3-month span for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and shipping is convenient.

A close-to-scalp 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg quantity is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is missing, a similar mass of body hair may be used. Reference to head hair implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test includes four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary stage, introducing a sample into the lab's system. It verifies appropriate sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missed data entry from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as a preliminary assessment for drugs. Although cost-effective in excluding drug presence for most samples, a positive Screening result requires confirmation to be court valid. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate additional verification.

If a Screening yields a presumptive positive, further hair from the sample is used for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are separated at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), positioning hair testing as the most intricate method.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumably positive samples are cleaned pre-confirmation as required. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike shorter urine test windows.
• Difficulty to deceive: Cheating a hair test is challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It outlines a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires about 5-7 days post-use for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other test types.
• Variable outcomes: Different factors like hair color and growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", it is the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp, that is examined.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Tarentum, PA, the benefits of hair testing over traditional urine tests are evident. Hair testing provides unmatched detection accuracy, offering a trustworthy assessment when compared with the limited reliability of urine tests. Employers seeking precise screening find hair tests an indispensable asset.

Extended Detection Window

For an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Tarentum, PA is exceptional. Unlike other methods, hair tests reveal drug use history over three months, equipping employers with thorough insight into an individual’s past substance consumption. This prolonged detectability offers a significant advantage in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Tarentum, PA offers a tamper-resistant testing method. The reliability of these tests lies in their resilience to adulteration, ensuring results are beyond dispute. The process is secure, providing confidence that samples remain untouched from collection to analysis.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of convenient nationwide testing locations with local centers in Tarentum, PA. Our widespread network ensures access to testing services is straightforward, fast, and hassle-free, meeting the needs of busy individuals and employers efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple, confidential process for hair follicle testing in Tarentum, PA. The seamless process from ordering a test to receiving results respects privacy, making it accessible while alleviating concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Tarentum, PA boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Companies of all sizes receive excellent value with competitive pricing structures alongside prompt results, ensuring efficient drug testing that fits within budgetary constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Tarentum, PA, hair follicle drug testing guarantees fast, accurate, and reliable results. With its ability to precisely detect substance use, hair testing outshines other methods in rapid turnaround times. Professionals and employers alike value the superior accuracy of hair follicle tests when confirming recent drug consumption.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Employers in Tarentum, PA benefit from using hair follicle testing as it assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing reduces legal risks and enhances safety across the workplace environment, offering peace of mind through reliable screening.

Drug Testing Near Tarentum, PA

Harwick, PA

Rural Ridge, PA

Harmar Heights, PA

Lower Burrell, PA

Harrison Township, PA

Frazer, PA

New Kensington, PA

Natrona Heights, PA

Creighton, PA

Brackenridge, PA