Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term reservoir for alcohol and other drugs, trapping biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer a detection span of up to around 3 months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and situations involving more than 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Summary
The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any additional data entry required beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.
Screening performs an initial quick evaluation for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective means of ruling out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Samples that yield a presumptive positive result during Screening require further confirmation.
For samples with presumptive positive results in Screening, additional hair is gathered from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid testing, underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS analysis. All presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Tullytown, PA
Compared to urine tests, hair tests offer superior detection and reliability. They can detect long-term drug usage, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's history.
Employers in Tullytown are increasingly opting for hair testing due to its ability to uncover substance use over several months, ensuring a more thorough screening process.
Extended Detection Window in Tullytown, PA
The hair follicle test's impressive detection span of up to 90 days permits employers to gain insight into long-term substance use, vastly superior to other methods.
This extended period offers a well-rounded picture of an individual's history, making it an invaluable tool for assessing past drug use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Tullytown, PA
Hair follicle tests offer remarkable resistance to tampering, significantly lowering the chances of sample adulteration and ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
The observation during collection adds an extra layer of reliability, providing results that are hard to dispute.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Tullytown, PA
Our numerous testing centers across the country mean accessing our services is straightforward and worry-free, including locally in Tullytown.
Whether nationwide or local, our facilities ensure you can undergo testing promptly and without hassle.
Simple, Confidential Process in Tullytown, PA
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results through our hair follicle tests is straightforward and protects your privacy at each stage.
The process is designed with confidentiality in mind, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed for each participant.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Tullytown, PA
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times offer excellent value, appealing to businesses of any size.
Clients benefit from cost-effective solutions without sacrificing the quality and speed of results, creating a dependable service.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Tullytown, PA
Hair follicle drug tests in Tullytown offer unmatched precision and speed. Their accuracy is particularly notable in detecting past substance use, making them a preferred choice for timely results.
The testing process quickly identifies drug usage patterns, delivering robust and reliable outcomes. This fast processing is crucial for those needing immediate verification.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Tullytown, PA
By integrating hair follicle testing, employers can maintain drug-free workplaces, helping minimize legal risks and enhance safety.
This testing method assists in policy enforcement, ensuring employers comply with stringent drug regulations, providing peace of mind.
