Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a comprehensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection range of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat tamper-proof, and easily transported.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will result in 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, additional screens, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair are specifically about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core phases in lab processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the preliminary processing of samples into the lab’s system. This stage involves ensuring the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry missing in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes a preliminary check for abusive substances. While it is an economical way to rule out substance use for most samples, positive results require confirmation for court admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample flags as presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other ways (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more challenging methodology.
Confirmation of positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Enon, VA outshines traditional urine tests due to its higher detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can miss long-term substance use, hair follicle tests capture a detailed history, reducing the risk of undetected abuse.
With hair follicle drug testing in Enon, VA, understand substance use histories extending up to 90 days. This extended window offers comprehensive insights into an individual's past drug usage, aiding well-informed decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Enon, VA significantly reduces sample manipulation risk, ensuring trustworthy results. These tests are designed to minimize cheating opportunities and provide clear, definitive outcomes.
With conveniently located testing centers throughout Enon, VA and nationwide, accessing services is both simple and efficient. This wide network ensures that hair tests can be conducted with ease, minimizing travel time and hassle.
The hair follicle testing process in Enon, VA is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From test ordering to receiving results, each step is streamlined to ensure privacy and ease of use for all parties involved.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Enon, VA make this an attractive option for companies. The competitive rates ensure that businesses of all sizes can take advantage of thorough and timely testing.
Hair follicle drug tests in Enon, VA are renowned for their speed and accuracy. They offer superior precision in identifying substance use compared to other test methods. Immediate results help make informed decisions promptly, ensuring a smooth testing process.
Hair follicle testing supports employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Enon, VA. It mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring adherence to standards, providing peace of mind.
