Lead, Whole Blood, Venous
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Biomonitoring (401) 222-5552
Lead (Venous)
Lead Poisoning
CHILDHOOD LEAD SCREENING
Quantitative screening test for lead in blood of children under age 6 using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Rhode Island healthcare providers are required by law to conduct at least two blood lead screening tests on all children by 3 years of age. Children should then be screened annually through 6 years of age.
All refugee children 6 months through 16 years must have a screen with a venous blood lead test upon entry into the U.S.
For Lead Screening and Referral Guidelines go to http://www.health.ri.gov/healthrisks/poisoning/lead/for/providers/ or call the RIDOH Information Line at (401) 222-5960.
Collect a minimum of 500 µL of whole blood in a plastic vacutainer containing either EDTA (lavender top) or heparin (green top).
Vacutainers for trace metal analysis (royal blue top), or certified lead-free (gray or tan top) are also acceptable.
Specimens must be stored at 2° - 8°C. Stable for one month.
CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Lead Screen Venous
Specimens may be transported at ambient temperature (AVOID MAILING SPECIMENS ON FRIDAY)
All specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Clotted blood is unacceptable
Children < 16 years of age: <3.5 µg/dL
4 business days
Kits are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday - Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Test kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov