Lead, Whole Blood, Diagnostic 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 (Diagnostic)
Lead Poisoning
CHILDHOOD LEAD CONFIRMATION
Quantitative blood lead test to confirm childhood lead poisoning using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Diagnostic Lead Testing is performed on a child with a previous elevated lead level, a child showing signs or symptoms of lead poisoning, or a child suspected of having sustained a significant lead exposure.
ONLY VENOUS SPECIMENS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
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 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
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 Diagnostic (venous only)
Transport as soon as possible in separate package clearly labeled "Priority Lead - Diagnostic". 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
2 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