Specimen Requirements
Title
LEAD, WHOLE BLOOD (ADULT)
Specimen Requirement
1mL Royal blue-top (EDTA) tube. Care should be used in collecting specimens to avoid contamination because lead is widely distributed in the environment.
Methodology
Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Stability
14 days at room temperature
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
4 days
Clinical Use
Capillary blood levels > 10 ug/dL may be due to contamination from lead found on the finger surface and require conformation with venous blood.
Test Code
LEADW