Follicle Testing???

Sorry for posting in Newbie, I wasn't sure where to post this question (the medicinal boards seem pretty quiet). At any rate, can someone point me to some solid info on Follicle based drug testing? I have done some google and bing searches and the info is all over the map.
I'm trying to get an idea of how accurate it really is and how wide spread its use really is.

My friend just got a job offer (here in the States); The day of the interview, they were impressed with her and conducted a follicle test right then and there (samples to be sent to a lab of course). She smoked not four days before that test. Prior to that, maybe every couple of days. She was expecting a urinalysis and did the traditional Brewed Tea and plenty of fluids..
Well, the company called back a few days later and offered the job AFTER the drug test.
So, are follicle tests really that in-accurate, or are they spot on and the company offering the job does not care about marijuana use?

Kind of stumped on this and would like your input...(Don't get me wrong, she is thrilled and laying off the smoke for a while to concentrate on her job; but it is puzzling to say the least).


thanks up front...

I'm not an expert, but I was under the impression that follicle and blood tests were some of the most accurate and expensive drug tests they do, I could be wrong though..

yea their supposed to be closest to 100 accurate if not 100 altogether. Most places dont do it often because its expensive for lab testings and what not. So must be a good job. Some places arent looking for thc though either. They test hair mostly for the harder shit thats out of ordinary system in 72 hours.

The employer may have chosen to overlook it as it was only THC. We have latitude as managers at my job to overlook that one. We only use urinalysis at our clinic for drug testing prior to hiring.

Ifound this--thought it might be helpful. Notice how much hair is needed. If they didn't collect a sufficient amount of hair, it may have been a scare tactic.


Q: What is hair drug screening?

A hair screen is an examination that uses a small sample of hair to identify specific drugs used by the person being tested. A hair follicle drug test measures the drug molecules and their specific metabolites that are produced only after the drug has been processed by the human body. After the drug is processed, trace amounts of its metabolites are inserted into hair follicle by the bloodstream.

Q: What time period does a standard hair follicle test cover?

A standard hair follicle screen covers a period of approximately 90 days, but is susceptible to time variation depending on the growth rate of your hair. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible and the most recent 3.9cm (or 1.5 inches) are tested. It is possible to go back even further than 90 days since the time period is limited only by the length of the hair sample, but is standardized to a 90 day history.

Q: What type of drugs can be detected in a standard hair test?

Cocaine (Cocaine & Benzoylecgonine), Marijuana, Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-Monacteyl Morphine), Methamphetamine (Methamphetamine/Amphetamine & Ecstasy), and Phencyclidine (PCP). These five drug classes are mandated for testing by the Federal Government.

Q: How fast does head hair grow?

Hair collected at the crown of the head grows on the average of approximately 1.3 cm (or 1/2 inch) per month. This growth rate varies among people by approximately + .2 cm per month which can create a possible time variation of up to +1 week per month.

Q: Can body hair be drug tested like hair from the head?

Body hair can be drug tested just as hair from the head. The growth rates for body are considerably slower than the hair from your head. Most body hair is replaced in about one year. It is challenging to precisely represent the time period of a standard screen with body hair so substances may be detected in body hair for up to 1 year after the substance left the blood stream.

Q: How much hair is needed?

A standard screen with GC/MS confirmation requires 40+ milligrams of hair or approximately 50 - 70 strands that are up to 3.9cm (or 1.5 inches) in length. The thickness and pigment color of different types of head hair (thick black vs. thinning gray) is the basis of this variation.

Q: What if I am almost bald or have no hair?

Hair can be collected from several head and/or body locations (excluding pubic areas) and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. In the rare case where no hair is collectable, complete urine/adulteration testing may be utilized.

Q: How effective is hair follicle testing in detecting drug usage?

In comparison to a urinalysis drug test, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and methamphetamine have proven hair analysis far more effective than urine testing in identifying low-level drug use over an extended period of time since these are normally out of the bloodstream in within 3-7 days. The detection of marijuana is currently less sensitive than the other drugs in identifying low level drug users, but is considered approximately equal to urinalysis in identifying marijuana users. The detection period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days for a standard screen.

Q: How do drugs get into hair?

After a substance is ingested, whether orally, smoked, snorted, or injected, metabolites are produced as the drug is processed by the human body. As these drugs and metabolites circulate in the blood stream, they enter and nourish the hair follicle and are then inserted into the hair strand.