Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tanner, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is esteemed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair that continue to grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If head hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test result entail four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s database. This encompasses confirming the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates a confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can spot drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to alter: It is exceedingly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can delineate a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: Detection takes approximately 5-7 days post-drug intake.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While frequently cited as "hair follicle tests", the examination pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Tanner, WA

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability in Tanner, WA. With a longer detection window and reduced risk of tampering, this method provides a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Tanner, WA

Hair follicle testing stands out in Tanner, WA, with its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. This extended window gives employers a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's drug history, ensuring informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Tanner, WA

With hair follicle tests, Tanner, WA ensures a significant reduction in sample tampering risk. This method provides reliable, unquestionable results, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking assured compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Tanner, WA

With numerous centers nationwide, including Tanner, WA, testing services are easily accessible. This ensures a quick and hassle-free experience for those in need of reliable testing options.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Tanner, WA

The hair follicle testing process in Tanner, WA is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process respects privacy, offering ease of use and reassurance to individuals and organizations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Tanner, WA

In Tanner, WA, competitive pricing and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes. Offering excellent value and prompt service, it supports companies in maintaining a compliant and safe environment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Tanner, WA

Hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision and speed. In Tanner, WA, these tests are praised for their high accuracy in substance detection, helping employers and agencies make informed decisions swiftly and confidently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Tanner, WA

Employers in Tanner, WA benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks while enhancing safety and productivity, offering peace of mind to business owners.

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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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