Hair Testing and Urine Testing

Urine has always been an effective method of drug testing. However the test typically only reaches as far back as 9 to 10 days. On the other hand, Hair Testing can detect past months of usage.

The results below are based on companies of varying sizes and show the difference in the testing of urine and hair. American Toxicology believes that the best fingerprint of drug use is obtained by testing both hair and urine. The following illustrates the comparisons between hair and urine testing of four of our clients.

Company 1: # of total tests: 10,558

Drug……………….Pos/Urine…………..Pos/Hair
Amphetamines…………29…………………….158
Cocaine………………...256…………………...730
Heroin………………….0………………………...0
PCP…………………….1………………………...2

Company 2: # of total tests: 3,953

Drug……………….Pos/Urine…………..Pos/Hair
Amphetamines…………12………………………50
Cocaine………………...11…………………........28
Heroin………………….1…………………….…...1
PCP…………………….0………………………....0

Company 3: # of total tests: 209

Drug……………….Pos/Urine…………..Pos/Hair
Amphetamines…………0………………………....3
Cocaine………………...1…………………............7
Heroin………………….0…………………….…...1
PCP…………………….0………………………....0

Company 4: # of total tests: 52

Drug……………….Pos/Urine…………..Pos/Hair
Amphetamines…………0…………………………1
Cocaine………………...1…………………............3
Heroin………………….0………………………....0
PCP…………………….0………………………....0

Results indicate that hair and urine testing is far superior tot urine testing alone in identifying drug users attempting to become employed. Over 2/3 of the applicants testing positive by hair would have passed the urine test and became part of the employee population. Marijuana is not shown in this example because it is best detected in the urine.

Because it takes approximately a week for ingested drugs to show up in hair above the scalp, American Toxicology strongly suggests using both urine & hair testing for a complete history of drug usage to help maintain a drug-free work environment. Studies continue to show that marijuana (THC) is best detected in urine. THC is a fat soluble drug that stays in the body much longer than any of the hard drugs. As a result, the body will shed THC for weeks or even months. Once again, for optimal results American Toxicology strongly recommends a Hair & Urine test for all clients.