Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burnsville, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. It allows for an extended detection period due to the entrapment of biomarkers within the hair's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximate detection span of three months for substances. It's straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp can yield 100mg, which is the preferred sample for both screening and confirmatory tests. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. Here, head hair specifically means scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result includes four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial lab processing. This process involves confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, randomly assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any data entry omissions absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial, rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for legal credibility. Samples testing as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection duration: Hair drug analysis can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Reduced likelihood of tampering: Cheating is particularly challenging with hair drug tests, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: It provides a timeline of substance use, unlike methods that only detect recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks detection of recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth can impact metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although sometimes termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination pertains to the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Burnsville, WV

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Burnsville, WV offers superior advantages, including a longer detection period and greater accuracy. These tests provide a more comprehensive assessment of substance use, minimizing the chances of deceptive results that are more common with urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Burnsville, WV

Hair follicle testing is valued in Burnsville, WV for its ability to detect drug use over an extended timeframe of up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview allows employers to gain a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history, which is crucial for informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Burnsville, WV

In Burnsville, WV, hair follicle tests are highly regarded for their tamper-resistant qualities. The method substantially reduces the likelihood of sample contamination or manipulation, ensuring that results are both reliable and credible.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Burnsville, WV

With nationwide centers and local accessibility in Burnsville, WV, our testing services offer unmatched convenience, providing quick, simple, and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing. This ensures that testing needs are met swiftly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Burnsville, WV

The process for hair follicle testing in Burnsville, WV is straightforward and confidential, making it easy for individuals to order tests, complete them, and receive results. Our commitment to privacy and ease of use addresses any concerns regarding the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Burnsville, WV

Our hair follicle testing in Burnsville, WV is competitively priced with fast turnaround times, providing significant value to businesses of all sizes. This ensures companies receive high-quality testing without compromising on budget or time constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Burnsville, WV

In Burnsville, WV, hair follicle drug tests are esteemed for their exceptional precision and reliability. These tests are renowned for their ability to quickly detect substance use, providing almost immediate and highly accurate results that employers and courts can depend on.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Burnsville, WV

Employers in Burnsville, WV find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it aligns with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method enhances compliance, mitigates legal risk, and promotes a safer working environment.

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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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