JOURNAL ARTICLE

Retrospective fentanyl analysis in the hair of workplace drug testing subjects.

  • Published In: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2025, v. 49, n. 4. P. 258 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Stowe, G. Neil; Paulsen, Ryan B; Schaffer, Michael I 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the analysis of fentanyl, its metabolite norfentanyl, and fentanyl analogs in hair samples from the U.S. workforce population collected between 2019 and 2024. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) after extensive washing, the study found that fentanyl analogs are rarely present without fentanyl itself, indicating they often coexist or contaminate illicit fentanyl supplies. The data show that samples with fentanyl concentrations above 100–150 pg/mg hair are highly likely to contain norfentanyl, suggesting this range as an optimal cutoff for confirming fentanyl use in drug testing. Despite the emergence of potent analogs like acetylfentanyl and 4-fluorofentanyl, fentanyl remains the predominant compound detected, with analogs mostly appearing alongside it rather than independently.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 2025/05, Vol. 49, Issue 4, p258
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0146-4760
  • DOI:10.1093/jat/bkaf010
  • Accession Number:185321116
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Analytical Toxicology is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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