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Hair Testing

Hair testing is a process in which hair specimens are analyzed for illegal drugs. When a drug is ingested, it enters the blood stream and is broken down to a specific metabolite. When a hair sample is screened, both the parent drug and the metabolite are isolated. Any samples that screen positive are confirmed using GC/MS (Gas Chromotography/Mass Spectrometry) technology.

In order for a sample to confirm positive at the established cut-off level, the metabolite of the drug will only be present if the donor has physically ingested the drug(s) detected. Our Laboratories uses cut-off levels that are within the current government recommendations.

Use of Hair Testing

When compared to other forms of testing (urine, blood, oral fluids), hair samples can detect a longer period of drug use. For example, urinalysis can only detect most drugs within 2-3 days of use with the exception of marijuana, which may be detected for a slightly longer period of time. After the 2-3 day period, a donor will test negative and slip through the screening process. This is important in pre-employment testing where most candidates are aware that a drug test might be required and can abstain accordingly. With hair samples, the only time limitation for detecting drug usage is imposed by the length of the donor’s hair. The industry standard is to test 1.5 inches of hair, which provides a 90-day history of the donor’s drug use.

The validity of hair testing has been upheld by courts in a number of jurisdictions as well as in cases involving both civil and criminal matters. We can supply a non-exclusive list of cases upholding the use and admissibility of hair testing

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Benefits of Hair Testing versus Urinalysis

Hair testing permits the detection of substance usage for a period limited only by the length of the hair sample, typically 90 days, as compared to 2-3 days with urinalysis.

Unlike urinalysis, the hair-test sample cannot be adulterated or substituted.
Unlike urinalysis, the hair-test sample cannot be adulterated or substituted.
Collection is simple and safe – without the hazards associated with the handling of body fluids or the requirements for custom collection facilities.

Hair Testing Basics

1. What is Hair Testing?
Since hair growth is fed by the bloodstream, the ingestion of drugs of abuse is revealed by analyzing a small sample of hair. Our testing method measures the drug molecules embedded inside the hairshaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive test result. Hair testing results cannot be altered with shampoos, bleaches or other external chemicals.

2. What drugs are included in a standard Hair Test?
Cocaine (cocaine & benzoylecgonine), marijuana, opiates (Codeine, Morphine & heroin 6- monacteyl morphine), methamphetamine (meth/amphetamine & Ecstasy), and phencyclidine (PCP). These five drug classes are mandated for testing by the Federal
Government.

3. What time period does a standard test cover?
A standard screen covers a period of approximately 90 days. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible and the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.

4. How fast does head hair grow?
Studies indicate that hair collected at the crown of the head grows on the average approximately 1.3 cm (or 1/2 inch) per month. This growth rate varies slightly (estimated at + .2 cm per month, consequently there is some (+ 1 week) time variation possible.

5. How much hair is needed?
A standard screen with GC/MS confirmation requires 40+ milligrams of hair or approximately 90 - 120 strands. The thickness
of different types of head hair (thick brown vs. thinning gray) is the basis of this variation.

6. How does Hair Testing compare to urinalysis?
The primary differences are the wider window of detection with hair and the inability to tamper with the test. Cocaine,
methamphetamine, opiates and PCP are rapidly excreted and usually undetectable in urine 72 hours after use. The detection
period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days for a standard screen. Additional
advantages include non-intrusive collection procedures, virtual elimination of test evasion; and greater accuracy through test
repetition capability. The combination of an increased window of detection and resistance to evasion makes Hair Testing most
effective in correctly identifying drug users.

7. How soon after use can a drug be detected in hair?
It takes approximately 4-5 days from the time of drug use for the affected hair to grow above the scalp. Body hair growth rates
are generally slower and cannot be utilized to determine a time frame of drug use.

8. What is the shortest time period that can be accurately evaluated?
The minimum time period is approximately one month (1/2 inch). Body hair can be used if head hair is too short for a test. If
body hair is used the timeframe represented by the test is approximately one year because of the different growth pattern in
hair below the neck.

9. Can tests be run on people with little or no hair?
Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. In addition, body hair
may be used as a substitute to head hair. In the rare case where no hair is collectable, complete urine/adulteration testing
may be utilized.

10. Does body hair give the same type of results as head hair?
Yes, body hair can be used to test for the five standard drug classes, though body hair growth rates differ from head hair.
Most body hair is replaced within one year. This means that a test based on body hair will be reported as representing drug
usage during approximately a one year time frame.

11. Can hair collected from a brush be used?
No, Our lab requires a hair sample to be collected using proper chain-of-custody protocols that will withstand a legal
challenge. Our lab requires that the sample be submitted using its Hair Collection Package. The test subject must initial the
sample to certify the authenticity of the sample at the time of collection.

12. Are hair testing laboratories required to have FDA approval?
There is a misconception that the FDA regulates workplace drug testing laboratories such as our lab. The FDA’s
responsibilities actually lie in overseeing the safety of consumer products – not workplace drug testing. Our lab has been
accredited by both CAP and CLIA which is evidence of the highest standards of testing procedures and processes.

13. How does Our Laboratories establish its cut-off levels?
Our lab’s cut-off levels are generally accepted industry-wide and are based in part by minimum detection levels for GC/MS
confirmation.

14. Does Our Laboratories perform GC MS confirmation of all positive hair results?
Our lab provides automatic confirmation utilizing GC/MS for all specimens that screen positive (opiates, PCP, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana).

15. Can hair be affected by cross-reacting substances such as over-the-counter medications?
Enzyme-immunoassay antibodies (EIA), similar to those used to test urine, are used for the initial screening test for drugs of
abuse in hair; therefore the potential for substances such as over-the-counter medications to cause a false positive screening
result does exist. To eliminate the possibility of reporting a false-positive due to cross-reactivity, AAA’s testing lab automatically confirms all positive results by GC/MS.

16. How effective is Hair Testing in detecting drug users?
In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug testing has uncovered significantly more drug use. In two independent studies hair drug testing uncovered four to eight times as many drug users as urinalysis.

17. Does external exposure to certain drugs, like marijuana or crack smoke, affect the Hair Test results?
AAA’s testing lab looks for the metabolite by-product of the drug ingestion that is deposited inside the hair shaft by the
bloodstream. For example, to rule out the possibility of external contamination for marijuana smoke creating a false positive,
Our lab detects only the metabolite (THC-COOH). This metabolite is only produced by the body and cannot be an
environmental contaminant.

18. Is AAA’s Testing Laboratories' internal chain-of-custody comparable to a urinalysis laboratory?
Our lab's internal chain-of-custody is modeled after the requirements in the SAMHSA guidelines.

19. How long are positive and negative test reports kept on file?
Test reports are retained for a period of three years or as mandated by law.

20. What is done with the excess hair that is not tested?
The hair not used from the time period being tested (i.e. three months equals 3.9 cm) is stored in the chain-of-custody sample
acquisition pouch. Negative hair is stored for one month. Positive hair is stored for one year.

22. What experience does Our Laboratories have providing Expert Witness Testimony?
AAA’s Testing Laboratories’ forensic experts have qualified as expert witnesses in Ohio, New York, California, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Alabama and Arizona in over 250 civil, criminal, and Superior Court trials.

23. What other drugs are available to be tested in hair analysis?
Currently, nicotine, methadone, simple benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants assays and mescaline have been detected
in hair. However, many details such as cutoff levels and dose response relationships have not yet been established for these
compounds. Detection of these compounds is possible by special arrangement with the Laboratory