Blood

Patient Preparation: Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patient should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non‑essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician) and avoid shellfish and seafood for 48 to 72 hours.

7 mL whole blood
Absolute Minimum: 0.5 mL whole blood

Specimens collected in tubes other than Royal Blue (EDTA). Specimens transported in containers other than Royal Blue (EDTA) tube or Trace Element-Free Transport Tube. Heparin anticoagulant. Clotted specimens.

1-3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

0.0-12.0 μg/L

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood arsenic, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Potentially toxic ranges for blood arsenic: greater than or equal to 600 μg/L.

Blood arsenic is for the detection of recent exposure poisoning only. Blood arsenic levels in healthy subjects vary considerably with exposure to arsenic in the diet and the environment. A 24-hour urine arsenic is useful for the detection of chronic exposure.

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

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