Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within their fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period extending up to around three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment, roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil, comprising around 200 hair strands taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal amount for initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or when testing exceeds 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is preferable to measure the sample weight with a jeweler’s scale. If there is an absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing drug tests include four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab system. This step verifies proper sample sealing and shipping, assigns a unique random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening involves a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening provides an economical method to clear drug usage in most samples, any positive outcome requires further confirmation to be valid in judicial settings. Samples showing initial positive signs in Screening must undergo a thorough confirmation process.
In cases where a sample shows positive indications during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis a challenging methodology to administer.
Positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Positive samples receive a wash before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
In True, WI, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests in several crucial areas. Superior detection capabilities set hair testing apart by offering a much longer detection window. Furthermore, hair assessments can't easily be manipulated.
Hair follicle tests in True, WI, grant a broader window for drug detection, extending up to 90 days. This gives a thorough review of an individual's substance use history, crucial for employers wanting to make informed decisions.
Exceptional tamper-resistance is a hallmark of hair follicle testing in True, WI. It's nearly impossible to alter or adulterate samples, delivering accurate results without question.
True, WI, benefits from easy access to screening services with nationally available testing centers.
The hair follicle testing process in True, WI, is designed for ease and confidentiality.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround are features of hair follicle testing in True, WI.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests in True, WI, are remarkable. Accuracy in detection is one of the leading features of hair testing, giving a detailed view of substance use history.
In True, WI, employers gain peace of mind by integrating hair follicle testing into drug-free workplace policies. It guarantees a commitment to compliance, minimizing legal risks while enhancing safety.
