Psychemedics Corporation
 | |
| Company type | Public (Nasdaq: PMD) |
|---|---|
| Founded | U.S. |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Raymond C. Kubacki (CEO) |
| Products | Tests for drugs of abuse. |
| Services | Clinical laboratory |
| Website | Psychemedics.com |
Psychemedics Corporation is a United States corporation which provides patented, FDA-cleared, CAP certified clinical laboratory services for the detection of drugs of abuse.[1][2][3] The company's corporate headquarters are located in Acton, Massachusetts and its laboratory operations are located in Culver City, California.
Technology
Hair testing analyzes the hair shaft, rather than body fluids like urine or saliva, to determine whether illegal drugs are present. Compared to analysis of body fluids, hair testing is highly resistant to evasion by adulterating or substituting samples, or by simply abstaining from drug use for a few days. Though Psychemedics previously used a proprietary radio immunoassay (RIA) method[4] , they have since switched to an enzyme immunoassay screening method. They use GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS confirmation to measure the drug molecules and metabolites within the hair which were incorporated following ingestion.
The Psychemedics technology includes tests for cocaine, marijuana, opiates (including heroin and oxycodone), methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA) and phencyclidine (PCP). A standard test of approximately one-and-one-half inches of head hair cut close to the scalp can provide a several month window to detect drug ingestion.
In 2013, Psychemedics Corporation began offering hair based alcohol Ethyl glucuronide testing. Traditional alcohol tests use blood and urine but with drawbacks. Urine can only cover the past 36 hours maximum and blood about 4-6 weeks. Blood tests show liver damage which is not necessarily specific to alcohol and may not be present even in heavy drinkers. Hair tests for alcohol can determine usage several months back, has a 10 year history, and is based on extensive research.[4] The Society of Hair Testing states that "Chronic excessive alcohol drinking corresponds to an average consumption of 60 g or more of pure ethanol per day over several months." [5] As such, this form of testing is applicable for scenarios where severe alcohol abuse is present.
Hair Testing History
- 1858: Hoppe-Seyler publishes report finding arsenic in the hair in an 11-year old buried body.
- 1978: Dr. Werner Baumgartner, PhD develops a radioimmunological(RIA)method for detecting drug use from hair specimens.
- 1987: Psychemedics begins offering services commercially
References
- ^ Chartrand, Sabra (December 4, 1995). "Patents;A new test can detect marijuana use by analyzing a snippet of hair. Baldness is not a defense". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ Marks, Peter (July 13, 1995). "New Option for Worried Parents: Drug Testing at Home". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ "Science Watch; Clue on Comet Impact - Great issues can hang on hair and fingernails, clinical and forensic chemists have reported". The New York Times. See the last four paragraphs at the end of the article. December 8, 1987. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ http://www.barristermagazine.com/archive-articles/issue-47/testing-testing:-hair-alcohol-test-in-the-family-courts.html
- ^ http://www.soht.org/images/pdf/2014%20Alcohol%20markers%20revision%2013JUN14%20FINAL.pdf