Could hair drug testing make America's highways safer? And is it more effective than traditional urine testing?
In this episode of Sense Per Mile, Kevin Hall, Thom Albrecht and Karen Smerchek sit down with Dr. Marta Concheiro-Guisan, Assistant Professor of Toxicology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, to take a closer look at the science behind drug testing and what different testing methods can reveal about substance use among commercial drivers.
The discussion breaks down the differences between hair, urine and blood testing, including detection windows, reliability and the factors that can influence test results. Dr. Concheiro-Guisan explains why hair testing can provide a longer-term picture of drug use, while also addressing concerns around environmental contamination, false positives, hair color, chemical treatments and laboratory procedures.
The conversation also examines why hair testing is not currently part of federally mandated DOT drug testing requirements, the challenges of establishing consistent testing standards and whether combining multiple testing methods could offer a more complete picture of driver drug use.
What does the science say? Could hair testing become a bigger part of the industry's approach to safety, and what would that mean for trucking companies and professional drivers?
Watch the full episode of Sense Per Mile for an expert-led discussion on drug testing, highway safety and the evolving role of science in trucking regulations.