Updated Hours of Operation for American Toxicology Sunrise Location

Updated Hours for American Toxicology

Our Sunrise Location is open

Monday - Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm

New Hours of Operation for American Toxicology Sahara Location

Longer Hours for American Toxicology

Our Sahara location is now open

Monday - Saturday from 7:30am to 9:00pm

Drug Testing Policies

American Toxicology offers services in assisting clients in writing their drug testing policies. It is not uncommon to review a policy and find it deficient in a number of areas. Some are so deficient that it is recommended that the whole policy be rewritten. Unfortunately, some clients have paid a considerable amount of money for their policies which were written by someone else and marketed to be tailored to their needs. An employer, not knowing where to go, can be easily convinced with legal jargon and marketing hype that it is their best interest to buy a policy from someone “who knows what they are doing”.

Well, this is the American way and I can’t be too critical toward someone seeing an opportunity. However, selling drug testing policies is a relatively new enterprise. Some laboratories have been assisting employers with drug testing since the days of the Nixon Administration when it all began. I cannot specifically speak for other laboratories, but American Toxicology is willing to assist clients in this area at no charge. It is in our best interest to have clients with good drug testing policies.

Basically, a good policy must have two competent components – the company and the laboratory. No matter how competent one of them may be, if the other one is not, the policy will fail to give protection from liability. Drug testing is a team effort between the company and the laboratory. Unfortunately, some employers are very loose on this philosophy, until they get themselves into litigation. Then things change rather rapidly.

I have seen policies, especially in the gaming industry, where the competency of one or both of these components are lacking to the point that the drug testing conducted only works if it does not go to court. The main motivation for an employer to knowingly have such a program is to reduce costs. These companies literally operate on the edge. To them, drug testing is viewed primarily as a public relations expense. There is little fear of legal reprisal.

American Toxicology’s motto is that we only do that which we will win in court. We have had to make some tough decisions concerning this position. However, we feel it is a worthy standard to hold.

Mission Statement

We're dedicated to the reliability of our services, and the integrity of our clients and community. We establish and maintain confidentiality in caring for those indivduals who entrust us with their careers and families.

Services Offered

A list of drug tests we offer to our local Las Vegas clients, click on the image to see a larger version.

American Toxicology Mapped Locations

For Maps and directions to American Toxicology collection sites click on the links below.

North Side

South Side

East Side

Bullhead City

Reno

Saliva drug screen / Oral fluid-based drug screen

Saliva / oral fluid-based drug tests can generally detect use during the previous few days. Saliva or oral fluid based drug tests are becoming more prevalent because of their convenience and the fact that they can not be adulterated. Furthermore, on-site oral based tests in particular enable the implementation of random testing programs, proven to be the most effective type of drug screening. Oral fluid based tests are as accurate as urine and can be obtained from suppliers in the United States. Testing is usually performed by employers, for either pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, or return-to-duty testing. Oral fluid based testing most closely mimics results found with blood and is preferable for detecting on-the-job drug use or in post-accident applications in this case because the degree of intoxication can be approximated based on the amount of substance.

Detection in saliva tests begins immediately upon use:

• Marijuana and hashish (THC): An hour after ingestion, and up to 24 hours depending on use.
• Cocaine (including crack): From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days.
• Opiates: From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days
• Methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA, "crank," "ice"): From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days.
• Benzodiazepines: From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days

This helpful information was provided by Wikipedia.

For all saliva testing American Toxicology is partnered with Isaac Farrel who runs Lab Express another business in Las Vegas who handles a large portion of the cities swab testing.

Hair alcohol testing

As the hair grows, it absorbs special markers called fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) into its structure, which remain in the hair indefinitely. These markers are only produced when there is alcohol in the bloodstream, such that the more markers there are, the more alcohol you have consumed.

Tests detecting both FAEE and EtG levels have been used by UK courts.

Trimega Laboratories were the first company to commercialise FAEE testing in UK courts.^{[citation needed]} Tricho-Tech were the first company to commercialise EtG testing in UK courts.^{[citation needed]}

Analysis of hair samples has many advantages as a preliminary screening method for the presence of toxic substances deleterious to health after exposures in air, dust, sediment, soil and water, food and toxics in the environment. The advantages of hair analysis include the non-invasiveness, low cost and the ability to measure a large number of, potentially interacting, toxic and biologically essential elements. Hence, head hair analysis is now increasingly being used as a preliminary test to see whether individuals have absorbed poisons linked to behavioral health problems.[2]

The use of hair alcohol analysis to establish and verify persistent alcohol abusers within the United Kingdom has steadily increased in recent years.

In contrast to other drugs consumed, alcohol is not deposited directly in the hair. For this reason the investigation procedure looks for direct products of ethanol metabolism. The main part of alcohol is oxidized in the human body. This means it is released as water and carbon dioxide. One part of the alcohol reacts with fatty acids to produce esters. The sum of the concentrations of four of these fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs: ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate and ethyl stearate) are used as indicators of the alcohol consumption. The amounts found in hair are measured in nanograms (one nanogram equals only one billionth of a gram), however with the benefit of modern technology, it is possible to detect such small amounts.

However there is one major difference between most drugs and alcohol metabolites (FAEE) in the way in which they enter into the hair: on the one hand like other drugs FAEEs enter into the hair via the keratinocytes, the cells responsible for hair growth. These cells form the hair in the root and then grow through the skin surface taking any substances with them. On the other hand the sebaceous glands produce FAEEs in the scalp and these migrate together with the sebum along the hair shaft (Auwärter et al., 2001, Pragst et al., 2004). So these glands lubricate not only the part of the hair that is just growing at 0.3 millimeters per day on the skin surface, but also the more mature hair growth, providing it with a protective layer of fat.

FAEEs (nanogram = one billionth of a gram) appear in hair in almost one order of magnitude higher than (the relevant order of magnitude of) Etg (picogram = one trillionth of a gram). It has been technically possible to measure FAEEs since 1993, whereas the technique for measuring (the relevant range of) Etg is still in its infancy.

In practice, most hair which is sent for analysis has been cosmetically treated in some way (bleached, permed etc.). It has been proven that FAEEs are (surprisingly) not significantly affected by such treatments (Hartwig et al., 2003a). So far no systematic investigations in this regard have been carried out for Etg

FAEE concentrations in hair from other body sites can be interpretated in a similar fashion as scalp hair (Hartwig et al., 2003b). Etg: no information available.

Extensive studies involving over 1000 donors have been carried out since 2000. These have enabled us to establish reliable reference ranges for FAEEs with respect to drinking habits of the various groups: non-drinkers <> 1ng/mg

There are no reliable reference ranges for Etg from comprehensive studies. Further investigations are in progress to examine the applicability of the method in practice of the detection of alcohol abuse.

Literature Pragst F., Balikova M.A.: State of the art in hair analysis for detection of drugs and alcohol abuse; Clinica Chimic Acta 370 2006 17-49.

Auwärter V.: Fettsäureethylester als Marker exzessiven Alkoholkonsums – Analytische Bestimmung im Haar und in Hautoberflächenlipiden mittels Headspace-Festphasenmikroextraktion und Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie. Dissertation Humboldt-Universität Berlin 2006.

Pragst F., Auwärter V., Kiessling B., Dyes C.: Wipe-test and patch-test ror alcohol misuse based on the concentration ratio of fatty acid ethyl esters and squalen CFAEE/CSQ in skin surface lipids. Forensic Sci Int 2004; 143:77-86.

This helpful information was provided by Wikipedia.

Sweat drug screen

Although the sweat test is pretty cool, American Toxicology does not provide them. Here is some helpful information about the sweat drug test from wikipedia.

Sweat tests are patches attached to the skin to collect sweat over a long period of time (10–14 days). These are almost exclusively used by child protective services, parole departments, and other government institutions concerned with drug use over long periods, when urine testing is not practical. The patches have security features that keep them from being covertly removed and then reapplied without the knowledge of the testing agency. At the end of the test period, the patch is removed by a social worker or parole officer and sent to a lab for analysis. If the person has used any drugs during the period that the patch was in place, they will test positive for that drug. This type of testing has fallen out of favor with government agencies due to documented problems with certain drugs^[2].
This information was provided by wikipedia.

Sampling for Hair Follicle Drug Testing

How to effectivly collect a hair sample for drug testing according to American Toxicology Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada.






Visit the official American Toxicology Website

The patient in this exmple is a worker in our laboratory.

A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON URINE DRUG TESTING

Laboratories may be involved with testing biological samples for the presence of drugs for the diagnosis and monitoring of the overdosed patient (clinical testing) and for workplace drug testing (forensic testing). Even though the purpose of such testing is very different, the same methods are often used for both because the ability and ease of performance of immunoassays on automated instruments.

In the emergency department, physicians initially treat the signs and symptoms of the overdosed patient and rely on the laboratory drug testing results to confirm the diagnosis and to possibly monitor treatment. The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) practice guidelines for the use of laboratory tests to support poisoned patients recommends that the clinical laboratory provide two tiers of drug testing: a first tier of qualitative and quantitative tests available on a stat basis to support evaluation of acute toxicity for specific toxins for which an antidote or specific therapy is available, and a second tier (turnaround time of 24 hours or less) of more comprehensive testing of patients with continuing medical problems from exposure to other drugs and chemicals.

The 1888 Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace drug Testing Programs and subsequent revisions mandate scientific and technical procedures for the drug testing process, including: collection, Transportation of specimens, testing procedures incorporating quality control, method evaluation, results reporting, and standards for laboratory accreditation by the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLVP). Although private-sector industries are not required to follow the guidelines develop for the federal program, many choose to do so.

Currently, urine is the specimen of choice for both clinical and workplace drug testing with certain exceptions (i.e., ethanol testing under DOT which breath, blood, or saliva matrices are acceptable). Urine offers the advantages of non-invasive collection and a relatively easy, cost-effective proven technology. Guidelines mandate a controlled collection and use of standardized Custody and Control Forms as the specimen requisition, chain of custody, and official report form.

A laboratory may only test for certain drugs (the “NIDA 5”) at specified cutoff levels for the federal workplace drug testing. Testing for other drugs (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines, propoxyphene, methaqualone, etc.) and at other cutoff concentrations may occour fro non-regulated. State regulated, and clinical samples. Federal regulated tesging mandates initial screening by an immunoassay method and subsequednt conformation of all screening- positibve samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). Clinical and non-regulated testing may utilize any combination of methods available.

Test Interpetation

Testing for amphetamines in regulated samples includes testing for only amphetamine and methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine, and a positive methamphetamine specimen must contain amphetamine at a concentration greater than 200 ng/mL, in addition methamphetamine at a concentration of greater than 500 ng/mL cutoff. Several prescription medications (Adderal®, Dexdrine®, Didrex®, Eldepryl®, etc.) Contain either amphetamine or methamphetamine or compounds that are metabolized to theses substances. For clinical and non-regulated testing, the detection of other amphetamine family substances, such as MDMA (Ecstasy) may be requests. The ability of the ability of the laboratory to detect such compounds is dependent on the specificity of the antibody and the type of immunoassay used for screening.

Screening immunoassays for cannabinoids detect multiple metabolites for marijuana with a cutoff

Concentration of 50 ng/mL used for regulated drug testing. GCMS conformation identifies and quantities the major metabolite, 11-non-tetrahydrocannabinol-9carboxylic acid (delta-9 THca). Using a cutoff of 15 ng/mL. chronic marijuana users may produce positive results for longer periods of time than acute users (up to several weeks) because of accumulation of cannabinoid metabolites in fatty tissues followed by slow release. Studies have shown that it is highly unlikely that a nonsmoking individual could inhale sufficient smoke by passive inhalation to result in a positive result when using a screening cutoff of 50 ng/mL. Immunoassays with cutoffs of 20ng/mL and 100 ng/mL are available for non-regulated and clinical testing, although NACB guidelines recommended that there is no clinical reason for routine cannabinoids testing in the over closed patient.

Cocaine is rapidly metabolized, and the major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, is the primary compound measured by cocaine (metabolite) immunoassays. There are no cocaine-containing prescription medications, but cocaine solutions are sometimes used as a topical anesthetic for various ear, nose, throat, bronchoscopic, and ophthalmologic procedures.

American Toxicology is proud of what we have to offer our clients. Below is just a few of these things:

Locally owned and operated

Minority owned

25 years of service

In by ten out by four (At our Sunrise location)

Urine testing

Hair testing (we normally go back 90 days but can go back farther upon request)

24 hour turn-around time on negatives

48 hour turn-around time on positives

Job fairs at no extra charge

MRO Service at no extra charge

Expert witness service at no extra charge

Random drug testing program

Post accident/Probable cause testing

Complete confidentially

No hidden charges

Results faxed, called, mailed or delivered by courier

Licensed and certified by the State of Nevada

We are the only exclusive drug testing Laboratory in the State of Nevada. Our in office waiting time is very minimal

Drug Detection through Hair Testing

Hair testing is considered accurate and can go back as far as 90 days.^{[citation needed]} As hair grows out, any drugs used are encased in the hair shaft, so the longer the hair, the more time back in the individual's drug history the laboratory can detect. Human hair grows an average of .5 inches/month, which corresponds to 30 days of possible drug testing for every .5 inch. Testing laboratories generally require 1.5 inches for testing. This means they can test for around 90 days of drug use. This time period depends upon the rate at which the individual's hair grows of course. Some people attempt to circumvent this through shaving their heads. This does not usually work. In the absence of the required amount of hair on the scalp, body hair can be used as an acceptable substitute. If all hair is shaven, the follicles of the hair may be used in place of the hair. Removing the hair follicles is more painful.

Additionally for pre-employment hair testing, the inability to obtain a sample may be grounds for not hiring the individual. Hair Testing labs are regulated by CLIA or SAMHSA (not FDA). There is a growing trend in major companies and law enforcement agencies to utilize hair analysis on account of its efficiency and reputation as the gold standard when considering test accuracy. This technology makes use of radioimmunoassay or the more modern ELISA technology with subsequent confirmation by mass spectrometry.

In recent years, hair testing has been the subject of a number of lawsuits. Studies have shown that different ethnic groups have different hair structure, potentially leading to false positives^{[citation needed]}. Shampoos are available to help you pass but you would have to shave your legs and body hair to make sure they take a sample from your head.

This helpful information about drug detection through the use of hair testing was provided by wikipedia.

American Toxicology is a full service drug testing laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are only a hand full of laboratories in the nation that have the abilities to accurately preform the hair test, and we are one of them!

Urine Drug Testing

This procedure requires that one provide a sample of urine. Either a test card is used on site for immediate results (see "General" section), or the sample is sent away to a lab to undergo gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (also known as GCMS), high performance liquid chromatography or immunoassay analysis. The majority of tests administered in pre-hire and even most probate scenarios are of the immediate, and less accurate "at home" variety. Most "dip stick" type tests have higher thresholds for a positive than do the GCMS tests. If a positive result (drug presence indicated) is found, the sample is usually sent to a lab for GCMS confirmation. This is largely due to the costliness of GCMS labaratory testing and time it takes to process and receive results. The results of any urine test reflect factors including, but not limited to age, weight, race, and often these factors are what determines whether the test is valid or not.

The efficacy of urine testing is debatable due to systematic cheating. It is widely reported that sample substitution and adulteration occur frequently, and both are effective methods of avoiding would-be positive tests. There are a number of adulterant "masking" agents that are sold, though they are often nothing more than a simple diuretic and are rarely more effective than caffeine. Some people drink copious amounts of water to successfully dilute the concentration of drug metabolites in their urine below detectable thresholds. Often this results in clear samples that may be rejected on the grounds of being too dilute, although a complex B vitamin will make urine yellow despite this practice of waterloading. Specific gravity testing can be done to identify whether or not the sample is of dilute nature, though this is used infrequently on otherwise inconspicuous samples. The substance Niacin is also frequently used for its reported "flushing" effect, though this is also of disputable adeptness. Some types of urinalysis can detect the use of these "detox" products, though they are rarely used unless some facet of the sample is suspicious. Also, the wide availability of at home drug screens allows an individual to take their own test before they receive one, thus knowing the results ahead of time- giving the user further opportunity to dilute the sample or to find a substitute.

This helpful information was provided to us by Wikipedia.

American Toxicology is a full service drug testing laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are proud of our excellent service and our quality results. With our new online reporting we are able to provide results same day (for locals) within 2-6 hours!

Helpful Links on Drug Testing from Wikipedia

Drug test

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

For the episode of the American television series The Office, see "Drug Testing".

A drug test is commonly a technical examination of urine, blood, semen, sweat, or oral fluid samples to determine the presence or absence of specified drugs or their metabolized traces.

Contents [hide] 1 General information about drug testing in the USA 2 Detection periods 3 Common types of drug tests 3.1 Urine drug screen 3.2 Hair drug testing 3.3 Hair alcohol testing 3.4 Saliva drug screen / Oral fluid-based drug screen 3.5 Sweat drug screen 4 Drug testing methodologies 5 Types of testing 5.1 Pre-employment drug testing 5.2 Random drug testing 5.3 Post-incident drug testing 6 Drug testing methods 6.1 Urine drug testing 6.2 Saliva drug testing 6.3 Spray (sweat) drug testing 6.4 Hair drug testing 7 Legality and ethics of mandatory drugs testing 7.1 United Kingdom 8 See also 9 External links 10 References

See also

• Urinalysis
• School district drug policies
• Equine drug testing

[edit] External links

• US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Website
• US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Website
• Marijuana Detection Time Shorter Than Previously Assumed
• What You Need to Know about Drug Testing Methods
• The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
• A Political History of White House Drug Policy
• Ronald Reagan's Executive Order 12564
• The (US) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Pass Drug Tests
• European Workplace Drug Testing Society
• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
• The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association
• Erowid Drug Testing Information
• How to Pass Drug Tests

[edit] References

1. ^ "Drugs of Abuse Reference Guide," LabCorp Inc, Retrieved online April 11, 2007.
2. ^ Federal Court Drug-Testing Device Under Fire, PharmChem Sweat Patch May Be "Too Good" (2001-01-05).
3. ^ Jim Barlow. "A Little Dab Will Do It", LASNews, University of Illinois, November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
4. ^ Drug testing in the workplace: Summary conclusions of the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work. Retrieved on 2008-01-17.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_test"

Categories: Drug control law | Doping | Tests