Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Nanticoke, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is perceived as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol history. When taken near the scalp, hair can present an approximate 3-month window for detecting drugs and alcohol. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the preferred sample for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or screens that exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen weight. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug testing result encompasses four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s process. It involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening is undertaken as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a Screening test shows a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging procedure to conduct effectively.

Confirming positive Screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug consumption up to 90 days, longer than the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is remarkably difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers usage history: It can demonstrate a usage pattern over time, unlike tests that only detect recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent use detection: Detection of drugs in hair usually takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering why hair testing surpasses urine testing in West Nanticoke, PA, the superior detection accuracy stands out. Hair follicle tests offer a longer detection window, unlike the limited timeframe of urine tests, providing more comprehensive substance use insights.

Additionally, hair tests significantly reduce the margin for error, leading to more dependable results. For employers and authorities, this means enhanced confidence in the drug testing process, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in West Nanticoke, PA, is a powerful advantage. With the ability to detect substance use for up to 90 days prior, employers gain a thorough view of an individual’s drug history, supporting more informed hiring or retention decisions.

This longer detection period allows companies and agencies to ensure their drug use policies are upheld, reducing potential risk associated with recent substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One key benefit of hair follicle testing in West Nanticoke, PA, is its tamper-resistant nature. The collection and analysis process significantly curtail the risk of adulteration, providing secure and trustworthy results for employers and legal entities.

With hair tests, the possibility of altering test results is nearly eliminated. This assurance supports maintaining workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies, adding peace of mind to the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount with our nationwide testing centers in West Nanticoke, PA. With numerous locations, accessing our testing services is straightforward, providing quick and hassle-free solutions tailored to clients' needs in various locales.

Our local and national facilities ensure that no matter where clients are, efficient and professional testing is always within reach, enhancing ease and comfort throughout the process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing procedure in West Nanticoke, PA, is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are streamlined to respect users' privacy while ensuring a seamless experience for all participants involved.

Clients can trust in a process that maintains discretion at every step, focusing on user-friendliness while upholding the dignity and privacy of those tested.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In West Nanticoke, PA, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Companies of all sizes can benefit from competitive rates and a faster return on test results, providing outstanding value and efficiency.

With cost-effective options, businesses can rest assured in achieving compliance and maintaining safety without financial strain, enhancing long-term savings and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In West Nanticoke, PA, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. Offering a high degree of precision in substance detection, these tests quickly identify drug usage, allowing for swift results and informed decision-making.

The accuracy of hair tests is unparalleled, ensuring detection of substance use over an extended period. This level of reliability supports employers and judicial systems in maintaining order while making informed assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Opting for hair follicle testing in West Nanticoke, PA, bolsters compliance and peace of mind for employers. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies becomes effortless, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing safety for all employees.

By ensuring a robust drug-free policy compliance route, hair testing curtails potential legal issues, allowing companies to operate smoothly and securely with confidence in their workforce integrity.

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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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