Evaluation of a portable blood lead analyzer with occupationally exposed populations.
Authors
Taylor-L; Jones-RL; Kwan-L; Deddens-JA; Ashley-KE; Sanderson-WT
Source
Am J Ind Med 2001 Oct; 40(4):354-362
Abstract
This project evaluated a portable electroanalytical instrument that is used to rapidly analyze blood lead levels in individuals, using a fresh whole blood sample (venous). Samples were obtained from 208 lead-exposed employees who donated two 2 ml venous blood samples into "lead-free" evacuated tubes. One blood sample was analyzed onsite using the portable field instrument while the second sample was analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). According to GFAAS results, employee venous blood lead levels ranged from 1 microg/dl to 42 microg/dl. The mean difference between the results from the field instrument and GFAAS was less than 1 microg/dl. Analysis indicates that the results from the field instrument yielded a slight positive bias overall (P value = 0.0213), with less bias for blood lead levels above 10 microg/dl (P value = 0.0738). Within the blood range evaluated (1-42 microg/dl), the instrument performed adequately according to Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) proficiency requirements. The ability of the instrument to perform rapid analysis makes it potentially valuable to occupational health professionals for medical monitoring or on-site investigations.
Keywords
Blood-analysis; Blood-sampling; Occupational-exposure; Employee-exposure; Occupational-health; Lead-compounds;
Author Keywords: electroanalytical instrument; blood lead analysis; blood lead monitoring; instrument evaluation; anodic stripping voltammetry
Contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
LTaylor@cdc.gov
Priority Area
Work Environment And Workforce; Mixed Exposures
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
