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.
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
None detected.