Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Townville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Over time, hair absorbs biomarkers into its strands as it grows, providing a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug intake. When gathered near the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug use history for up to three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands, equating to the thickness of a #2 pencil and nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to determine the specimen's weight. If no scalp hair is present, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure in the laboratory for processing drug test results encompasses four pivotal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This phase includes confirming that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method for negating drug usage in most samples, to stand in court, a positive result in screening requires confirmation. Samples preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be tentatively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging procedure to conduct.

Confirmations of any positive screening outcomes are executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair tests for drugs can uncover drug use over a 90-day period, in contrast to urine tests which offer a lesser detection timeframe.
• The challenge in circumvention: Manipulating a hair drug test is remarkably challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Demonstrates historical usage: It outlines a usage trend over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent consumption: Drugs are detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur more costs compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variance: Elements like hair color and personal growth rate can sway drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", these primarily examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Townville, PA
Comparing hair and urine tests reveals hair testing's superior detection and reliability.

• Hair tests detect drugs over a longer period.
• They are less susceptible to manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Townville, PA
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle screening identifies drug intake over up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance habits.

• This extensive window allows for a comprehensive substance history check.
• Employers benefit from a more accurate candidate evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Townville, PA
The hair follicle method drastically minimizes the opportunity for sample adulteration, ensuring credible results.

• Unlike other methods, tampering is exceedingly challenging, providing authentic outcomes.
• This reliability is crucial for maintaining integrity in testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing and Local Locations in Townville, PA
Our widespread testing centers, including local ones in Townville, facilitate seamless, trouble-free access to our testing services.

• Easily accessible locations ensure user convenience.
• A broad network simplifies the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Townville, PA
Our testing process is straightforward and protects privacy from ordering to obtaining results.

• Ensures discretion throughout.
• Confidential handling of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Townville, PA
Our competitive prices and rapid results offer great value and alleviate concerns for businesses of any size.

• Affordability meets exceptional service.
• Fast processing times enhance efficiency and satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Townville, PA
Hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision and speed in detecting drug use. These tests are remarkably accurate, providing dependable results in identifying substance use.

• They deliver results swiftly, ensuring quick decision-making.
• Accuracy is pivotal, often outperforming traditional methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Townville, PA
Hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free policies, minimizing legal challenges and boosting workplace safety.

• This method supports regulatory compliance while enhancing security.
• It offers tranquility by meeting legal and policy standards.

Drug Testing Near Townville, PA

Meadville, PA

Saegertown, PA

Cochranton, PA

Cambridge, PA

Cambridge Springs, PA

Cooperstown, PA

Woodcock, PA

Titusville, PA

Canadohta Lake, PA

Blooming Valley, PA

Lincolnville, PA

Hydetown, PA

Riceville, PA

Centerville, PA

Guys Mills, 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.

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