Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wernersville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers in its strands. Once gathered near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a three-month detection span for substance and alcohol identification. Collecting hair is easy, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100 mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for examination and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or evaluations beyond 10 panels, it's advised to use 150 mg of the specimen. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. For head hair, we solely refer to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary laboratory steps for processing drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the primary handling of a sample in a lab’s system. This phase ensures that the sample remains sealed, is correctly shipped, an anonymous LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening consists of a primary rapid assessment for abusive substances. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation for legal credibility. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at considerably reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug screening compared to other techniques.

To confirm any positive screening results, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire processing sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair acknowledgment and certified by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug examinations can identify substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a limited detection window.
• Challenging to alter: Attempting to manipulate a hair drug test is exceedingly hard, thus ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Reveals use trends: It shows drug consumption patterns over time, not only recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs generally become recognizable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strands and not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Wernersville, PA surpasses urine testing by offering superior detection and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests capture a broader spectrum of substance use, making them highly effective for comprehensive detection.

The advantages of hair over urine tests include their extended detection window and reduced susceptibility to tampering, ensuring results you can trust.

Extended Detection Window

In Wernersville, PA, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, identifying drug use over a longer period of up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance history.

Compared to other methods, hair testing offers a comprehensive look into past drug use, aiding employers in making well-informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Wernersville, PA benefits greatly from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. The difficulty in adulterating hair samples enhances the integrity of these tests, ensuring reliable results.

Employers can trust hair testing for accurate outcomes, as these tests significantly reduce the risk of sample contamination, safeguarding the authenticity of the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience in testing is paramount, with numerous nationwide centers and local options in Wernersville, PA. Accessibility is key in providing quick and easy testing services.

Our widespread network ensures hassle-free testing, allowing residents to access services without delay, highlighting our commitment to convenience in all locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Wernersville, PA is both simple and confidential. Concerns about privacy are addressed to ensure ease and discretion for all involved.

The straightforward approach to testing underpins user confidence, emphasizing the seamless and private nature of the entire testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Wernersville, PA is offered affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests, presenting excellent value to companies of any size. Our competitive pricing ensures companies receive high-quality service without financial strain.

With swift processing times, results are delivered promptly, providing peace of mind and reinforcing the efficacy and convenience of hair follicle testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wernersville, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Notably, the precision involved in these tests ensures high accuracy levels, identifying substance use effectively.

The quick processing time of hair tests enhances their reliability, making them a preferred choice for timely detection. With a focus on accuracy, Wernersville residents benefit from the robust substance detection these tests offer.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Wernersville, PA, hair follicle testing offers employers compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, employers mitigate legal risks and boost workplace safety.

Employers prioritize hair testing for its compliance-friendly nature, ensuring both legal and safety standards are met effectively, diminishing potential liabilities.

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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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