Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Hamburg, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained reputation as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When extracted close to the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect sample for testing and validation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be used, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four major stages in processing a drug test outcome in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails entering the sample into a laboratory’s system initially. This step involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and forwarded, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data required by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial, quick analysis for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positives during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other testing such as urine or oral fluid, highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging method.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It can outline a pattern of drug usage over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually involves the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage over traditional urine testing in West Hamburg, PA. One key benefit is the superior detection accuracy of hair tests, which provides reliable results. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily manipulated, hair testing offers a more consistent and dependable view of an individual's drug use history, making it a preferable option for employers and legal authorities.

Extended Detection Window

In West Hamburg, PA, hair follicle drug testing boasts an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days back. This offers employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history, supporting informed decisions. With this long-term detection ability, employers can better assess the potential risks associated with drug use, ensuring a safer work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in West Hamburg, PA, significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering. The collection process is highly controlled, making it nearly impossible for individuals to alter test results. This tamper-resistant method ensures that the outcomes are authentic and reliable, providing a dependable foundation for critical decision-making processes, whether in employment or legal settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents of West Hamburg, PA, benefit from the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing centers available nationwide. Our widespread locations ensure testing is quick and hassle-free, providing local and national access to drug testing services. This accessibility offers a seamless experience, enabling clients to efficiently meet their testing needs without excessive travel or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Hamburg, PA, ordering, taking, and receiving test results is a simple and confidential process. Our streamlined service addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. The straightforward procedure supports individuals and companies alike, securing sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in West Hamburg, PA, offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Our affordable services deliver excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. The timely delivery of results further supports business operations, contributing to efficient workforce management and decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to swift and precise results in West Hamburg, PA, hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled. Their high accuracy makes them an ideal choice for detecting substance use efficiently. The reliability of this method ensures that results are accurate and can be trusted, offering fast turnaround times which are crucial for urgent decision-making in various contexts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing provides employers in West Hamburg, PA, with compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies reduces legal complications and fortifies company safety standards. By using this reliable method, businesses can foster a healthy work environment while minimizing liability, thus enhancing overall organizational integrity.

Drug Testing Near West Hamburg, PA

McKeansburg, PA

Landingville, PA

Leesport, PA

Virginville, PA

Dauberville, PA

Lenhartsville, PA

Deer Lake, PA

Shartlesville, PA

Mohrsville, PA

Centerport, PA

Shoemakersville, PA

Port Clinton, PA

Edenburg, 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