Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a crucial means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If head hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This stage includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for courtroom acceptance. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be deemed presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening a highly challenging procedure to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Testing in Woodland Mills, TN lies in its superior detection capability. Hair testing offers a broader detection window and higher reliability compared to traditional urine tests, making it the preferred choice for accuracy in substance detection.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Woodland Mills, TN is unmatched, reaching up to 90 days. This allows employers a complete overview of an individual's substance history, beyond what urine tests can provide.
Hair follicle tests in Woodland Mills, TN offer tamper-resistant benefits, reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. The method ensures reliability and integrity in drug testing, setting a standard that is hard to compromise.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Woodland Mills, TN, our facilities ensure easy and hassle-free access. Employers and individuals can rely on the speed and accessibility of our testing services.
The process in Woodland Mills, TN is simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving hair test results is straightforward, easing concerns about privacy and making the procedure accessible and discreet.
Hair follicle testing in Woodland Mills, TN brings affordable pricing options and fast turnaround times. Our competitive rates meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, providing them value and assurance through efficient service delivery.
In Woodland Mills, TN, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its swiftness and precision. Accurate analysis ensures substances are reliably detected, providing results that employers can trust. The quick processing time ensures minimal waiting.
Compliance and peace of mind for employers in Woodland Mills, TN are strongly supported by the use of hair follicle testing. This method ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal exposures while boosting safety efforts.
