Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Middlesex, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now widely acknowledged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair preserves a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When acquired near the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG additions and/or tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. In the context of head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming secure sealing and proper shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to discount drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for courtroom acceptance. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and organised for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are leached from hair at concentrations noticeably lower than those in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug examinations can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to tampering: Hair drug tests are exceedingly challenging to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage pattern: It allows for understanding drug use patterns over a duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent ingestion: It requires approximately 5-7 days post-drug use for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the assessment analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those considering hair follicle testing over urine testing in West Middlesex, PA, there are clear benefits. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy, capturing drug use history over a long period. Unlike urine tests, which may only reveal recent usage, hair testing provides reliable and thorough insights, offering a better understanding of substance use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in West Middlesex, PA benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle tests. Capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days, these tests offer a thorough view of an individual's substance history, assisting employers in making informed decisions regarding potential hires and current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in West Middlesex, PA, is its tamper-resistant nature. These tests dramatically lower the chances of sample manipulation, ensuring that results are reliable and beyond question. Such security is invaluable, especially in contexts requiring strict substance use monitoring.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Across West Middlesex, PA, and beyond, our extensive network of testing centers offers convenience. With locations nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward and hassle-free, allowing individuals and businesses to benefit from quick and efficient testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

In West Middlesex, PA, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Easy to order and straightforward to undertake, these tests also guarantee privacy in handling results, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality while ensuring easy accessibility for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing in West Middlesex, PA, combined with fast turnaround, makes hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses. Our competitive rates and quick result delivery offer considerable value, catering to companies of varying sizes looking for cost-effective and efficient testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In West Middlesex, PA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. With high accuracy levels, these tests ensure that substance use is detected reliably. Individuals and companies value the assurance that results are both fast and trustworthy, making hair testing a preferred choice in many circumstances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in West Middlesex, PA, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. By integrating these tests into their drug-free policies, businesses can reduce legal risks and foster a safer work environment, underscored by the test's rigorous and dependable methodology.

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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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