Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ketron, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When cut near the scalp, hair samples can provide roughly a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect hair, tough to tamper with it, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and those above 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

The principal stages in lab processing for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for the presence of abusive substances. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, results showing a positive indication require validation for legal acceptance. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive need further confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive during Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, substances are drawn out from the hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is a complex method to carry out.

Validation of any positive result from screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing a presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is exceptionally challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It allows for the monitoring of drug use trends over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: There's a 5-7 day period before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the level of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: While often misnamed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine tests in Ketron, WA. Why choose hair testing?

• Extended detection period up to 90 days
• Hard to tamper with results

Extended Detection Window

Uncover past substance use effectively with hair follicle testing in Ketron, WA. Extended Detection Window:

• Identifies drugs used up to 90 days prior
• Comprehensive review of substance history

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Ketron, WA, are remarkably tamper-resistant. Secure and Reliable:

• Minimizes possibilities for sample adulteration
• Provides unquestionable results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing, including Ketron, WA, is unmatched. Wide Accessibility:

• Testing centers located everywhere
• Fast, simple access to services

Simple, Confidential Process

Undertake a simple and private hair follicle testing process in Ketron, WA. Confidentiality Assured:

• Easy ordering, testing, and receiving process
• Privacy at every stage

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For those in Ketron, WA, our competitive pricing and swift results are unbeatable. Affordable and Fast:

• Attractive pricing for all company sizes
• Quick turnaround time

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Experience the precision and rapid feedback of hair follicle testing in Ketron, WA. Accurate and efficient, this testing method ensures individuals and organizations get reliable results.

• Quick detection process reduces wait times
• High accuracy in identifying substance use

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Ketron, WA, ensures compliance and confidence for employers. Stay Compliant:

• Adheres to drug-free workplace policies
• Reduces potential legal liabilities

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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