Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. This technique offers an extended retrospective overview by embedding biomarkers within the shafts of the growing hair. Hair samples collected near the scalp can provide a detection period of approximately up to 3 months for substances including alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, proving slightly challenging to tamper with, and is conveniently transportable.
A sample length of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for both screening and validation. For tests involving EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" in this context strictly means scalp hair. In contrast, "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial and armpit hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug screen comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes primary processing into the lab’s system, which includes checking that the sample was sealed and on transit correctly, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any residual data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening delivers an initial swift assessment for illegal substances. Despite Screening being a cost-efficient way to largely negate substance use across samples, any positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples from the Screening step require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample register as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair segments are derived from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Herein, the substances are drawn out from the hair at a decreased concentration relative to other methods (such as urine or saliva), which accounts for the complexity inherent in hair substance screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure, ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", it’s the hair strand itself being examined, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Waldron, WA showcases the advantages of hair testing.
Extended Detection Window in Waldron, WA emphasizes the breadth of drug use detection.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Waldron, WA outlines the reliability of hair tests.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Waldron, WA underscore the simplicity of access.
Simple, Confidential Process in Waldron, WA addresses privacy concerns.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Waldron, WA highlight the value for businesses.
Fast and Accurate Results in Waldron, WA highlight the precision and speed of hair follicle testing.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Waldron, WA highlights the role of hair tests.
