Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Hazleton, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is perceived as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a reservoir for alcohol and other substances, encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can yield a detection period for alcohol and drugs lasting up to around 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch bunch of roughly 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp is needed to obtain 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and identification. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, collecting 150mg of the hair is advisable. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (face, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation are the key phases in laboratory processing of drug test outcomes.

Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into the lab's framework. This process includes confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input absent from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening entails a preliminary drug abuse check. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in many samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to be valid in a legal context. Any samples indicating potential positivity in Screening demand an additional confirmation.

If the Screening stage suggests a sample is potentially positive, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening poses the most methodological challenges.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily identified as positive receive a wash prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use extending to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection range.
• Resistance to tampering: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, therefore enhancing the reliability of results.
• Tracks historical patterns: It is capable of indicating a trend of drug usage over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: For drugs to be detectable in hair, approximately 5-7 days are necessitated.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Attributes like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand without delving into the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in West Hazleton, PA, due to its remarkable benefits. Superior Detection of substances makes it a preference for many. Unlike urine tests, hair samples reveal a broader spectrum of consumption patterns, offering a clearer picture over a longer term. This method is especially effective in identifying ongoing substance use that might evade shorter window screenings.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection capabilities of hair follicle testing provide a comprehensive substance history review in West Hazleton, PA. An employer gains insight into a 90-day consumption window, revealing prolonged consumption patterns. Comprehensive View enables better-informed decisions on potential hires or monitoring current employees, enhancing workforce reliability through thorough background checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The resilience of hair follicle testing against tampering makes it a reliable choice in West Hazleton, PA. Tamper-Resistant features ensure sample integrity, reducing the risk of adulteration and providing accurate, unquestionable results. This method maintains sample purity, delivering results with a higher degree of confidence compared to alternative testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in West Hazleton, PA, ensures Convenient Access to hair follicle testing. The nationwide availability simplifies logistics, making test appointments both quick and free of hassle. Users benefit from a streamlined process that offers local and accessible testing, tailored to meet their scheduling needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Hazleton, PA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. This Simple Process consists of easy ordering, private testing, and discreet result delivery. Individuals can rely on the privacy and seamless experience offered, promoting confidence and ease throughout the testing procedure. Privacy concerns are expertly addressed to ensure client comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and rapid results define our hair follicle testing service in West Hazleton, PA. Our commitment to Affordable Pricing and swift turnaround times is perfect for businesses seeking cost-effective and timely solutions. We ensure excellent value across all company sizes, providing economic benefits along with reliable drug testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug testing in West Hazleton, PA, are unmatched. High Accuracy marks this method, as it can reliably trace substance use far beyond the traditional scope of other tests. Local centers streamline the process, ensuring swift diagnostics without compromising accuracy. The meticulous analysis offered ensures a trustworthy evaluation of an individual's substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in West Hazleton, PA, hair follicle testing enhances compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind. Compliance Assurance minimizes legal risks, while reinforcing safety standards. Implementing this testing fosters a secure environment, aligned with stringent policy enforcement and reducing liabilities associated with workplace substance issues.

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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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