Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Waller, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is highly regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture biomarkers as they grow, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to approximately a 3-month detection period for substances. It's easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal quantity for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional substances, and tests beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step, where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This phase ensures the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an early assessment for illicit substances. It’s a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, though samples testing positive must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Presumptive positives from Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Any positive result from Screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo washing if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the process undergoes scrutiny in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests offer detection for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• High integrity: Cheating on hair drug tests is notably difficult, leading to greater accuracy in results.
• Historical insights: It provides insight into drug use patterns over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Delay in detection: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth rate may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Waller, PA, offers distinct advantages over urine testing. By examining a hair sample, the accuracy and reliability of results surpass traditional methods.

Unlike urine tests, which detect recent use, hair tests provide a broader detection window, ensuring reliable results.

For comprehensive detection accuracy, hair follicle testing stands out, offering a robust solution for monitoring substance use.

Extended Detection Window

In Waller, PA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing reveals substance use over up to 90 days, making it an invaluable tool.

This method grants employers a thorough perspective on an employee's or applicant's substance history, enhancing decision-making.

With a broad detection window, hair testing supplies a detailed account, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Waller, PA, significantly reduces the chance of adulteration, imparting reliable results.

Its tamper-resistant nature ensures that results are unquestionable, safeguarding the testing process against manipulation.

The integrity of hair testing is unmatched in preventing sample alteration, providing a trusted testing option.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of nationwide testing locations, including those in Waller, PA, offers remarkable convenience for those needing tests.

With accessible centers, scheduling and completing a test is quick and efficient.

Enjoy hassle-free access to our services while benefitting from locally available testing sites.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process in Waller, PA, makes ordering, taking the test, and receiving results stress-free.

Concerns about privacy are expertly addressed, providing straightforward and confidential service.

With ease of use a priority, the hair follicle testing procedure is designed to offer users a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Waller, PA, our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times deliver excellent value.

Companies of all sizes benefit from our competitively-priced services, offering peace of mind with budget-friendly solutions.

With swift results and excellent value, Accredited Drug Testing ensures satisfaction in timing and cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Waller, PA, hair follicle testing offers fast and dependable outcomes, making it a popular choice for accurate drug detection. Precision is a highlight, as it identifies substance use with incredible accuracy.

The speed at which results are delivered is noteworthy; hair follicle tests yield timely insights without compromising the integrity of the findings.

With high accuracy in spotting substances, clients receive reliable and efficient evaluations, ensuring informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Waller, PA, find peace of mind with hair testing, ensuring policy compliance and minimizing legal risks through reliable screening processes.

This testing method fortifies drug-free workplace policies, bolstering safety and reducing liability.

By embracing compliance, hair follicle testing supports a secure and respectful environment for all employees.

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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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