Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a robust method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a historical record for alcohol and other drugs by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch length of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which serves as the optimal sample for both screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional components, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially incorporated into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and sent, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial scan for substances of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use across most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, hair yields drugs at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo a washing process prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Town West, TX, the advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests are clear. It offers superior detection periods and accuracy. By testing hair, longer histories of drug use can be detected, making it a more reliable choice for employers.
Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in Town West, TX, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to see a broader timeline of drug use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Hair follicle tests in Town West, TX, greatly reduce the chance of sample tampering. Given the nature of hair testing, results remain trustworthy and consistent.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: Accredited Drug Testing provides extensive nationwide and local testing sites in Town West, TX, ensuring easy access to testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process: In Town West, TX, ordering, taking, and obtaining results from hair follicle testing is straightforward and discrete, maintaining privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Town West, TX, benefits from competitive hair follicle testing pricing, with quick result times offering companies excellent value
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: Town West, TX, benefits from prompt and precise hair follicle drug testing. These tests offer high accuracy, ensuring that any substance use is detected efficiently and dependably.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: In Town West, TX, hair follicle testing aids employers in enforcing a drug-free policy with reduced legal risks, while enhancing workplace safety.
