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What Does THC Nanogram Mean for Drug Testing?

jeffo — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:05:40 +0000

As drug tests continue to be used the clarity of the results and the types of testing has evolved. One of the new forms of testing gaining popularity is “Nanogram testing”. A nanogram is the measurement of the level of metabolites, or the byproducts of drug use, in a person’s body. Essentially this form of drug testing analyzes the nanograms of a particular substance, like THC, in a person’s urine. Previous tests only render a “positive” or “negative” reading of use; however this form of marijuana drug testing is more specific. Nanogram testing delivers an almost exact number of nanograms present in the person’s urine which indicates the level of use, if any, within that person.

Like previous tests these levels are different for every person and every lifestyle. Water intake, exercise, metabolism, and consistency of use all effect the level of nanograms reported for a person. Of these, metabolism plays perhaps the most crucial role; since THC is a fat soluble chemical (meaning it stores in fat) it can actually be “burned” off quicker or slower depending on the body’s metabolism level. For example an athlete would on average have a lower level than someone of less physical activity with the same amount of use.

Does this really change anything? Amazingly yes, now instead of person simply being labeled an “addict” the drug test will reflect a more accurate portrayal of that person and their substance abuse. Now a potential employer can tell whether a person uses everyday, not at all, or just every once in a while. Many have suggested that the use of this drug testing might actually be positive for most people who use looking for employment. Statistics have shown that employers’ at most low skill jobs (like cleaning, delivery, and other tedious work) don’t really care if a person uses recreational drugs like Marijuana as long it happens infrequently. This test may prove to be revolutionary, for in the past it was not possible to really differentiate between a casual user that will be productive and a true substance abuser.

Hair Follicle Drug Testing Leads to Drastic Reduction in Dangerous Drug Use

david — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:45:08 +0000

Emerging scientific data has conclusively linked the advent of powerful hair follicle drug testing to a drastic reduction in dangerous drug abuse by employees across the country. Since hair follicle drug tests became the predominant employment drug testing method, businesses and corporations, results have shown a severe decline in the abuse of cocaine and methamphetamine by the American workforce. While employees who chose to abuse illegal drugs once felt secure in their ability to evade urinalysis drug testing, the emergence of hair follicle drug testing has eliminated the ability elude detection. Since 2005, the number of positive tests for dangerous drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine has fallen dramatically, with reductions as high as 35% in some areas of the country.

The key to the tremendous success of hair follicle drug testing is the increased detection periods provided by hair analysis. Trace amounts of illicit substances can be flushed from the bloodstream in a manner of days, depending on the drug being abused, but hair follicles retain evidence of drug use for several months. This means employees cannot simply plan their drug use around the testing schedule, and when faced with the choice of losing their jobs or abstaining from drug use, the vast majority of employees simply quit abusing drugs. For employers seeking to safeguard their business or workplace, the hair follicle drug test has emerged as the most powerful tool for preventing drug abuse.

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20091120-902706.html

Knowing Which Drug Testing Option To Use

david — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:11:31 +0000

While most employers are aware that drug testing kits come in two main forms, the urinalysis test and the hair follicle test, they may not know which option is best for various workplace situations. For example, if an accident has occurred on the job and resulted in injuries or property damage, a responsible employer would want to determine if anybody involved was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In this case, a urinalysis test is the best choice because urine testing is required by federal law to meet strict guidelines, while hair follicle testing has less stringent requirements. Urinalysis testing is considered much more reliable as evidence in a courtroom and should be used when it is likely that legal action may be taken.

On the other hand, if an employer wants to examine his staff’s drug usage over a long period, perhaps for a quarterly review, he or she should choose the hair follicle test. Traces of drug use, even up to 2 months after the illicit substance was last used, can be detected by hair follicle testing. This is also a less intrusive option for large workforces, as it simply requires a few strands of hair to be plucked, rather than dealing with bodily fluids. Knowing which drug testing option you may need for certain circumstances is essential for any conscientious employer.