Myth Busters (Continued – #5): Hair testing is ‘new science’ and is not ready for prime-time
Testing of hair for drug use.
Myth: Hair testing is ‘new science’ and is not ready for prime-time.
Fact: Hair testing was brought to the commercial marketplace by Psychemedics in 1987 after ten years of extensive research and development. With millions of hair tests already conducted for employers, child protection agencies, and police forces all over the world, the scientific validity has been proven over the last twenty-five years in numerous federal, state, and military courts, as well as in private arbitrations. Hair testing is most commonly used to identify lifestyle drug users at the pre-employment stage – thereby preventing them from entering the workplace and bringing associated risks – and the use of random hair testing is also growing. There are important things to look for when selecting a hair testing lab, including FDA clearance of screening tests and accreditation for hair testing by the College of American Pathologists (“CAP”), which requires compliance with rigorous forensic testing standards. Finally, the lab needs to effectively address external contamination through extensive and validated wash procedures, in order to distinguish between drug ingestion and exposure.
Recent Posts
Archives
- January 2021
- August 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- September 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- June 2018
- May 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- September 2017
- August 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- March 2008
- January 2008
- November 2007
Recent Comments