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From: Robert Swotinsky MD
Date: 20 Apr 2004
Time: 11:37:06 -0700
Remote Name: 165.121.148.76
There is an evolving consensus on the correct procedures for collection of hair specimens for workplace drug testing. This consensus is best presented in the draft Mandatory Guidelines for Workplace Drug Testing published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2004. Those procedures call for collection of 1.5 inches of hair. Your question about the hair getting contaminated from placement in the envelope seems far fetched. I guess if the envelope contained cocaine or some other drug, then the hair would absorb some of that drug, although the labs now rinse the hair before analysis to tryand eliminate any environmental contamination drug residues. As you point out, hair is not intended to discriminate between current and past use. Instead, it measures (if 1.5 inches) for a 3-month window of time.