Nerve Agent Metabolites
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
Chemical Threats Laboratory (401) 222-5606
GB-acid, GD-acid, VX-acid, rVX-acid, and GF-acid
Nerve Agent Exposure
Urine and serum are analyzed by LC/MS/MS.
IMMEDIATELY notify the RISHL Chemical Threats Laboratory at (401) 222-5606 for a potential agent of Chemical Terrorism.
PREAUTHORIZATION is required prior to transporting specimens.
Urine: Collect urine in sterile cups. Optimal volume 4 – 7 mL, minimum volume 2 mL.
Freeze urine at -70°C until transport to RISHL
Serum: Collect blood in red top or serum separator tube. Separate serum and transfer to a plastic screw top tube. Minimum 2mL required.
Store serum at 2 - 8°C.
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 with appropriate Chemical Threats sticker attached
OPNA (Organo-Phosphate Nerve Agent) Metabolites
PREAUTHORIZATION is required prior to transporting specimens.
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.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
None detected.