Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodside, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term data record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a quarter-year detection timeframe for alcohol and additional substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches in length, approximately 200 strands (resembling the diameter of a #2 pencil), close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for assessment and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is essential. It is advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. Head hair solely refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test evaluation comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the first phase of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any supplementary data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical option to negate drug usage in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample results in a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting hair drug screening as the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair resolution and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to three months, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection range.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to bypass a hair drug test, increasing result reliability.
• Offers historical insights: The test can present a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Woodside, PA, hair testing outperforms urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests capture a larger window of drug use history, often unnoticed in standard urine tests. Such precision ensures that employers and other stakeholders in Woodside have the necessary assurance when evaluating substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle drug test in Woodside, PA, thrives with its extended detection ability of up to 90 days. This prolonged window offers employers a comprehensive view, providing clear insights into an employee's or candidate's past substance usage. Such lengthened detection proves extremely beneficial in comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Woodside, PA, the hair follicle drug test is renowned for its resistance to manipulation. It significantly reduces any chances of sample tampering, establishing it as a reliable option for drug testing. Employers and entities can depend on these results, knowing they are authentic and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

Woodside, PA, benefits from the nationwide convenience offered by our testing centers. With our widespread network, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. This ease of access ensures prompt and efficient servicing throughout the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Woodside, PA, for hair follicle testing ensures simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure is straightforward, ensuring user privacy and ease. This user-friendly approach reassures individuals worried about the privacy and intricacy of drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

In Woodside, PA, competitive pricing and quick result times characterize our hair follicle testing services. Catering to businesses of varying sizes, this approach guarantees great value, providing confidence in efficient service without exorbitant pricing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Woodside, PA, hair follicle drug tests provide highly accurate and quick results. The precision of these tests ensures credible detection of various substances, setting a high standard for reliability. This offers individuals and organizations in Woodside greater trust in the results, as substance use is identified with unmatched accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Woodside, PA, find hair follicle testing vital for maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety protocols, hair testing offers peace of mind. It reinforces a commitment to a secure and drug-free working environment.

Drug Testing Near Woodside, PA

Newtown Grant, PA

Morrisville, PA

Langhorne Manor, PA

Langhorne, PA

Fallsington, PA

Newtown, PA

Fairless Hills, PA

Yardley, PA

Woodbourne, PA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews