Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilburton Number One, PA

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository of evidence over time, collecting biomarkers within the filaments of the developing hair. If taken near the scalp, hair can show evidence of substance use for up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample that is 1.5 inches and comprises about 200 strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, an optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG additions or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is recommended to measure the weight of the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

There are four central stages in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of documenting a sample in the laboratory's framework. This phase ensures the sample's proper sealing and delivery, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and reconciles any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for most samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional strands are taken from the initial batch for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug assays particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any initially positive screen is implemented using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples initially positive are cleaned before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Pros of hair drug screening:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for as long as three months, unlike urine assessments which cover a shorter time frame.
• Hard to deceive: Due to the inherent difficulty in falsifying a hair drug assessment, its results are highly reliable.
• Shows past usage trends: It can reveal a user's drug history over a noticeable timeframe rather than recent activity alone.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent activity: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days post-use to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug assessments are costlier than alternate drug testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often mentioned as "hair follicle tests", these assessments evaluate the hair strand itself and not the scalp-embedded follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Wilburton Number One, PA, the superiority of hair testing lies in its unmatched accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests excel in detecting long-term substance use, offering a more comprehensive assessment. This heightened detection capacity gives employers confidence in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in Wilburton Number One, PA, stands out for its ability to review an individual’s substance history over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This extended detection capability offers employers a clear and robust picture of an applicant's or employee’s past drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: In Wilburton Number One, PA, hair follicle tests offer significant resistance to sample tampering, thereby ensuring trustworthy and valid results. This testing method's robustness reduces the chances of manipulation, offering peace of mind to employers and professionals who require reliable data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: Accredited Drug Testing assures convenience with widespread testing centers nationwide, including in Wilburton Number One, PA. This extensive network enables quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring effortless access for all our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: In Wilburton Number One, PA, our hair follicle testing services provide a straightforward and private approach for ordering, taking, and obtaining results. This process highlights ease of use and maintains the confidentiality of all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Offering competitive pricing and quick result turnarounds in Wilburton Number One, PA, our hair follicle testing provides excellent value for businesses of every size. We guarantee efficient service, combining affordability with peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In Wilburton Number One, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer a blend of precision and speed that distinguishes them from other testing methods. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unparalleled, providing dependable results that employers and individuals trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Utilizing hair follicle testing in Wilburton Number One, PA, guarantees employer compliance with workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, contributing to a more secure and responsible work environment.

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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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