No specific patient preparation is required.

A capillary sample volume of 100 mcL is requested, a volume of >25 mcL is required. A venous sample volume of 2 mL of whole blood is requested, a volume of >0.25 mL is required. Specimens may be stored at room temperature for a few days before shipment. Anticoagulated whole blood is required; serum and plasma are unsuitable samples.

Caution must be taken throughout the collection process to prevent environmental contamination of the specimens. 

Capillary specific collection instructions will be provided with the kit. Also reference Collection of Capillary Blood Specimens. 7th ed. CLSI standard GP42. 

Standard venous blood collection procedures are appropriate. Refer to Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens 7th ed. CLSI standard GP41. 

Capillary: See above link.

Venous: Evacuated blood tubes with EDTA (purple top) preferred, heparin anticoagulant (green top) also acceptable. (no kit available)

Label specimen container with patient name and date of birth. Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection (capillary/venous), test request(s), reason for referral, clinician name and NPI, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label, which is required to have a minimum of two identifiers.

Rejection criteria include insufficient volume (<25 mcL for capillary, <0.25 mL for venous), missing/non-matching identifiers on specimen label, suspected contamination due to improper collection procedures/container, improper matrix, or a leaking sample container.

The specimens are stable at room temperature. For shipments subject to delay or during seasonally high temperatures, refrigerate and ship specimens with a cool pack. Frozen samples are acceptable. USPS ground ship acceptable.

Biological substance, Category B

NA

Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM

CDC calculated blood lead reference value for children: <3.5 mcg/100 mL. OSHA Standards for Adults: <40 mcg/100mL

NHANES reference range (total population): <2.41 mcg/100 mL (2017-2018 survey).

A venous specimen is the preferred specimen type due to the smaller risk of environmental contamination. Elevated blood lead results on capillary specimens should be confirmed using a venous specimen.  A venous specimen is required for diagnostic and medical management purposes. Maximum reportable concentration of lead on the graphite furnace is 225.5 mcg/100mL.

Samples exceeding 225.5 mcg/100 mL may be analyzed, by request. Please contact Clinical Metals staff at 608-224-6252 for more details.

See Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the interpretation of lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) blood levels (https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/php/data/blood-lead-surveillance.html) For information regarding appropriate medical and environmental follow-up for children with elevated blood lead levels, contact the WI Division of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 608-266-5817. For information regarding adult lead exposure, the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance Program (ABLES), the Occupational Safety and Health Agency onsite occupational health/industrial hygiene consultation for small and medium sized businesses, and lead training and certification, contact the WI Department of Health & Family Services - Occupational Health at (608) 264-9829 or email DHSOccHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Evaluation of potential lead poisoning.

Whole blood is diluted with a matrix modifier solution of ammonium phosphate/Triton X-100/nitric acid and analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.  Reportable range of 1-225.5 mcg/100 mL.

Lab Developed Test (LDT) Regulatory Compliance Definitions

N

1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu