Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. By embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow, hair can capture a comprehensive history of substance use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use history for up to around three months. This sample type is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp ensures a sample weight of 100mg, optimal for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial and axillary hair).
Procedure Summary
The laboratory testing process for drug detection encompasses the steps of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed within a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample’s correct sealing and return, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody documentation.
Screening serves as an initial assessment for substance usage. Although this method is economical in excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates further confirmation for legal proceedings. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening require an additional validation step.
Should a sample demonstrate a preliminary positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration level compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a more intricate process.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positives are pre-cleaned, if needed, before confirmation. Each step from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug screening:
Challenges:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used, but the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why is hair follicle testing favored over urine tests in Denmark, SC? Hair testing offers superior detection through its accuracy and reliability.
Employers in Denmark, SC, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests. Hair testing reveals substance use over up to 90 days, as opposed to other methods. This comprehensive view assists employers in evaluating a candidate’s history effectively, ensuring well-informed hiring decisions and continued workplace safety.
Hair follicle tests in Denmark, SC, offer a tamper-resistant collection process, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenience with its nationwide centers, including those in Denmark, SC.
In Denmark, SC, the hair follicle test process remains simple and confidential.
In Denmark, SC, our hair follicle testing services boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround.
In Denmark, SC, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests boast excellent accuracy in detecting drug and alcohol use.
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind for employers in Denmark, SC.