Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an essential means for detecting drug and alcohol use. It offers a comprehensive record of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal substance usage for nearly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of hair, approximately 200 strands or similar to a #2 pencil, taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an ideal amount for both screening and validation. For tests including EtG, additional panels, and those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, a similar volume of body hair may be gathered. Reference to head hair implies only scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning handles the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system. It involves checking that the sample is both sealed and shipped correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry tasks not completed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial and rapid test for drug abuse indicators. It is a cost-efficient approach to discard drug usage in most samples, although a screen-positive result must undergo confirmation for legal admittance. Samples with a presumptive positive result during Screening proceed to a secondary confirmation stage.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at relatively smaller concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Positive results from the screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the accreditation complying with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Cashion Community, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing in several ways. Hair tests offer a much broader detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which only detect recent usage. This makes hair testing the superior choice for accuracy and reliability.
In Cashion Community, TX, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, monitoring drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This allows employers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance use history, rather than just a snapshot of recent activity.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration in Cashion Community, TX. This makes the test results more reliable and difficult to dispute, offering peace of mind to employers and authorities.
With convenient nationwide testing locations including in Cashion Community, TX, accessing our hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. We ensure easy access to our services, supporting both local communities and nationwide needs effectively.
The process of hair follicle testing in Cashion Community, TX, is both simple and confidential. It streamlines ordering, collection, and results reception while prioritizing the privacy of participants. This makes it accessible and stress-free.
Our hair follicle testing services in Cashion Community, TX, offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring they get the best possible service without straining budgets.
Hair follicle drug tests in Cashion Community, TX, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The tests are designed to quickly and reliably detect drug use, ensuring high accuracy. This efficiency is achieved through sophisticated technology that identifies even trace amounts of substances.
For employers in Cashion Community, TX, using hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances the overall safety of the workplace, creating a productive environment.
