Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has garnered recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair chronicles a protracted record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the maturing hair strand. When acquired from the scalp, hair can yield a detection timeframe of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, comparatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to procure 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be obtained. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary input of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry that is not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient means to eliminate the presence of drugs in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be admissible in legal proceedings. Any samples with an initial positive result in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumed positive results are cleansed as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the criteria of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair endorsement and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Woodmont Beach, WA, hair follicle testing offers remarkable advantages over urine tests. Hair tests detect drugs over an extended period, up to 90 days, while urine tests have a limited window.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests in Woodmont Beach, WA, provide employers with a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. Benefits:
Hair follicle testing in Woodmont Beach, WA, is notably tamper-resistant, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. Why choose hair testing?
Woodmont Beach, WA, provides unmatched convenience with nationwide testing centers. Benefits include:
The testing process in Woodmont Beach, WA, is straightforward and confidential. Steps include:
In Woodmont Beach, WA, our affordable pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing an excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Key points:
In Woodmont Beach, WA, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled, offering trustworthy detection of substance use.
Fast results: With an efficient processing system, results are received swiftly.
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers in Woodmont Beach, WA, ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and promoting safety. Advantages:
