Changes to Fingernail Collection Procedures

Dear Valued Clients,

It is USDTL’s mission to use the best science available to provide cutting edge tools for the detection of alcohol and substances of abuse. To better accomplish our mission, we are updating our collection procedures for fingernail specimens. Effective March 1, 2015, cosmetic treatments of any kind must be removed from fingernail specimens prior to being submitted to USDTL for testing. Specimens received with cosmetic treatments still applied to them will be rejected and will not be processed. Cosmetic treatments include artificial acrylic, gel or silk overlays; nail polish; basecoats; topcoats; hardeners; and any application to the nail that is not the natural nail material. When removing fingernail polish prior to collection, a non-ethanol based polish remover should be used.

This change to our fingernail collection procedures was made after carefully considering what collection processes would best ensure the integrity and validity of our clients’ testing results. If you have any questions regarding these changes to our fingernail collection guidelines, please contact our client advocates at 800.235.2367 or clientservices@usdtl.com.

Sincerely,

Adam Negrusz, Ph.D.
Laboratory Director