Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Whitaker, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and verifying. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is suitable for collection. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing lab procedure entails four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is introduced into the laboratory system. This procedure includes ensuring the sample's seal and proper shipping are intact, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary examination for drug presence. Although Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples cost-effectively, a positive result demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lesser concentrations than found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), showcasing the complexity of hair drug analysis.

A positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are washed appropriately before confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug usage for as long as 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• History of use: It tracks a pattern of drug intake over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair about 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and unique hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is gaining favor in Whitaker, PA, as it surpasses the traditional urine test in many respects. With a longer detection period and enhanced accuracy, hair testing provides a higher assurance for identifying substance use. Combined with minimal risk of tampering, it presents an advantageous alternative for thorough screening.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Whitaker, PA, value the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing, which can reveal drug use over a 90-day period. This comprehensive overview helps assess an individual's historical substance habits, aiding in making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method significantly lowers the chances of sample tampering, making it a reliable choice in Whitaker, PA. By mitigating risk factors associated with adulteration, this testing approach delivers unquestionable and reliable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide locations, including in Whitaker, PA, ensuring effortless access to testing services. Our broad network contributes to a seamless, hassle-free experience, making testing accessible to businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Whitaker, PA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to be smooth and private, addressing any concerns users may have about privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Whitaker, PA, emphasize affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, offering substantial value to businesses of all sizes. Coupled with competitive rates, our efficient services assure peace of mind and support compliance needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Whitaker, PA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. These tests provide accurate results, reliably detecting substance use to ensure individuals are adhering to requirements. Their quick turnaround time makes them an excellent choice for employers who need fast yet dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Whitaker, PA employers, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal risks and fostering a safer work environment. This testing option offers peace of mind, knowing that comprehensive and reliable measures are in place.

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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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