Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trafford, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are now regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When clipped near the scalp, hair can yield roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to amass, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A segment of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hairs (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will render 100mg, the optimal quantity for tests and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. By head hair, we refer to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial introduction of a sample to a lab’s system. This step consists of ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and achieving any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for it to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any samples tentatively positive during Screening mandate secondary confirmation.

If a specimen exhibits a tentative positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All provisionally positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug evaluations can disclose drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Challenges in fraudulence: It is exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, thus yielding more correct results.
• Yields historical insight: It can offer a drug use trajectory over time, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to be perceptible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than alternative drug evaluation methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in Trafford, PA, the former clearly offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive understanding of substance use.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing ensures a robust detection capability, leaving less room for error and providing clearer insights into substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Trafford, PA, hair follicle tests boast an extended detection window, often reaching up to 90 days. This long-term view is crucial for employers seeking thorough background checks.

This method allows employers to assess an individual's substance history in detail, ensuring that they have a comprehensive overview of any drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Trafford, PA, greatly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Its design ensures that results remain unaltered and credible.

This tamper-resistant nature means that the outcomes are trusted and provide a dependable basis for any needed interventions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For those in Trafford, PA, accessing our drug testing services is made easy with our nationwide network of testing centers. Convenience is key with locations that are easy to reach and ready to assist.

This network ensures that clients receive quick and straightforward access to our reliable testing services without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Trafford, PA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. This straightforward approach ensures user ease and privacy.

From ordering the test to receiving results, our process addresses privacy concerns, emphasizing user confidence and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Trafford, PA, combine affordable pricing with fast turnaround times. This ensures that companies, regardless of size, receive great value.

A competitive pricing structure paired with prompt service provides businesses with peace of mind without straining budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Trafford, PA, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their speed and precision. The accuracy they offer in identifying substance use is unmatched, making them a preferred choice for many.

With the capability of providing fast and reliable results, these tests ensure that users receive timely and precise data. This efficiency is pivotal for making informed decisions swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Trafford, PA, find peace of mind with hair follicle tests as they help maintain compliance with drug-free policies. This can reduce potential legal risks.

By adopting this testing method, workplaces ensure a safer environment and uphold stringent compliance standards effectively.

Drug Testing Near Trafford, PA

Municipality of Monroeville, PA

Monroeville, PA

Wilmerding, PA

North Versailles, PA

Versailles, PA

East McKeesport, PA

Ardara, PA

Level Green, PA

Pitcairn, PA

Wall, 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