Blood Lead Level - BLL - Pb - Venous Blood Lead
Specimen Collection Requirements
Preferred: Venous Whole Blood, one certified lead-free tube such as one 6.0 mL royal blue (K2EDTA or Na2EDTA) or one 3.0 mL tan (K2EDTA) top tube. Also acceptable: Venous whole blood, one 4.0 mL Lavender (EDTA) top tube.
NOTE: All elevated blood levels collected in a non-certified lead-free tube (i.e., EDTA lavender top tube) will be run with the following disclaimer: “Specimen was collected in a non-certified lead-free tube. Recommend confirming elevated level of blood lead with a second specimen collected in a lead-free tube."
Guard the specimen against environmental contamination. Keep the specimen sealed in the original container. Do not separate the plasma from the red blood cells.
Serum and plasma specimens; Whole blood collected in tube with anticoagulant other than EDTA; Frozen specimens; Clotted specimens
Room temperature (18-26°C): 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 28 days; Frozen (≤ -20°C): Unacceptable
Testing Information
Elevated levels may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including use of non-certified lead free tubes. Elevated levels of blood lead should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a lead-free tube.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy - Graphite furnace
Reference Values
All blood lead levels are reported to the Oregon or Washington Health Division.
Last Updated:
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 06:37:49 PM
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