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Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry

Investigation Name:Lead – Blood

Alias or Abbreviation:Pb

Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189 accredited test: On scope

Intro:

Lead (Pb) is a non-essential element that is toxic to all organ systems. There is no safe level of lead exposure and young or unborn children are particularly susceptible to neurological damage, which may be irreversible.
Sources of lead exposure outside of occupational settings include lead-containing paint, traditional remedies, lead-glazed earthenware and lead-containing pipework. Typical signs/symptoms of lead toxicity are constipation, abdominal pain, headache, poor concentration and anaemia. Less commonly, patients may present with peripheral or motor neuropathy and/or confusion/encephalopathy.
Blood lead should be measured in children with pica, particularly if they have anaemia and/or possible symptoms of lead toxicity, and should also be considered in children with global developmental delay or behavioural disorders.
Occupational monitoring of lead is undertaken in accordance with the UK Lead at Work regulations. Occupational Certificate Limits, above which workers would usually be suspended from work, are :
• For women of reproductive capacity: 1.45 mol/L :
• For males 18 years and over: 2.90 mol/L

Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Units:µmol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:500 µL whole blood

Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days.
Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.

Test Code:PB

Sample Type:

Preferred: Trace element free EDTA whole blood
Accepted: EDTA whole blood if contamination testing has confirmed that the tube lot being used is lead-free.
Note: Tubes with a black o-ring are not suitable for lead. Plasma/serum is NOT suitable

Complex Reference Range:<0.1 µmol/L

Collection Conditions / Other Information:Blood tubes may occasionally be a source of lead contamination and this may be tube lot specific.
We recommend testing tubes for lead contamination prior to use for blood lead. Please contact the laboratory for further information.
We are able to undertake occupational lead testing and share our external quality assurance performance with the Health and Safety Executive as required.
We notify all first-time blood lead results ≥0.24 µmol/L in children <16 years and pregnant women (where known) to the UK HSA via the Lead Exposure in Children Surveillance System.

Referred to Another Laboratory?No

Storage Requirements:Store at 4 °C prior to dispatch

Posting Address / Requirements:Ambient temperature, 1st Class Post,
Sandwell Health Campus,
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon B71 4HJ

EQA Scheme:UK NEQAS for Trace Elements

Further information:We are a designated Supra-Regional Assay Service (SAS) Laboratory for Trace Elements.

Lead Contact Details:Dr Nicola Barlow, Consultant Clinical Scientist,
SAS Director Trace Elements Laboratory,
Email: nicola.barlow1@nhs.net

Email Address For Chasing Results:rwh-tr.bcpsspecialistchemistryenquiries@nhs.net

Methodology:Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Site Sample Tested:Sandwell Health Campus

Cost:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details

Contact Number:0121 507 5162