Arsenic blood test

ARSENIC BLOOD TEST

DESCRIPTION – abnormal blood arsenic concentrations indicate significant exposure. Absorbed arsenic is rapidly distributed into tissue storage sites with a blood half-life. Unless a blood specimen is drawn within 2 days of exposure, arsenic is not likely to be detected in a blood specimen

METHODOLOGY – quantitative inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

TURN AROUND TIME – 1-3 days

SPECIMEN REQUIERED –

PATIENT PREPARATION – diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue these.

COLLECT – royal blue

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – transport 7 ml whole blood in original collection tube

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – room temperature or refrigerated

STABILITY – ambient: indefinitely; refrigerated: indefinitely

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – specimen collected in alternate tubes, heparin anticoagulant and clotted specimens

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory