Lead, Whole Blood, Capillary
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 (Capillary)
Lead Poisoning
CHILDHOOD LEAD SCREENING
Quantitative screening test for lead in blood of children under age 6 by 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.
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 200 µL of whole blood in a plastic micro collection device containing either EDTA (lavender top) or heparin (green top).
A minimum of 150 µL is required to perform the test.
Specimens must be stored at 2° - 8°C. Stable for one month.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Lead Screen Fingerstick
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
All specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Clotted blood is unacceptable
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- Expired / Incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents <14
- Specimen too old
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. Kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov