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Volatile Organic Compounds in Blood

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

Lab

Chemical Threats Laboratory (401) 222-5606

Analyte Name

1, 2-Dichlorobenzene, Benzene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, Ethylbenzene, m+p-Xylene, o-Xylene, Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, Styrene

Disease

Volatile Organic Compounds exposure

Test Description

Volatile Organic Compounds are detected in serum by GC/MS.

Special Instructions

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.

Specimen

Collect blood in red top or serum separator tube. Separate serum and transfer to a plastic screw top tube. Submit a minimum of 2mL of serum.

Store at 2°- 8° C

Specimen Identification

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.

Form Required

Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf with appropriate Chemical Threats sticker attached.

Test Request

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Transport

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.

Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.

Normal Value

None detected.