Test Directory

Monitor exposure to mercury.

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Collection Container: Royal Blue Top (EDTA)

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 mL

1. Collect a royal blue top (EDTA) tube via venipuncture.

1. Transport 1 mL of whole blood in the original collection container.

 Sampling time is end of shift at the end of the work week for industrial exposure monitoring. Metals with timing “end of shift at the end of the work week” (meaning four or five consecutive days with exposure) are eliminated with half-lives longer than five hours. Such metals accumulate in the body during the work week; therefore, their timing is critical in relation to previous exposures.

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.

• Clotted specimen

 See patient report.

Blood mercury levels may be elevated due to the presence of inorganic mercury and/or organic mercury compound (e.g., ethylmercury and methylmercury). These alkylmercury compounds are generally not used in industry but are considered more toxic to humans than inorganic mercury.