Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected closely to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG analyses, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial hair, axillary hair, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary entry of a sample into a laboratory system. This step includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be valid in a legal setting. Samples that are initially positive in screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is initially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most complex methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp
In Newhalem, WA, hair follicle testing wins over traditional urine tests due to its superior advantage.
Extended detection window is a feature of hair follicle testing in Newhalem, WA, providing insights into up to 90 days of substance use.
Hair follicle tests in Newhalem, WA offer a tamper-resistant method of drug testing.
In Newhalem, WA, our convenient testing centers nationwide provide easy accessibility.
The simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing in Newhalem, WA ensures ease and privacy.
We provide affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Newhalem, WA for hair follicle tests.
Hair follicle drug testing in Newhalem, WA assures fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in its precision, offering remarkable accuracy in uncovering substance use.
Employers in Newhalem, WA gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing.
