Evaluation of a portable blood lead analyzer with occupationally exposed populations

Background This project evaluated a portable electroanalytical instrument t hat is used to rapidly analyze blood lead levels in individuals, using a fr esh whole blood sample (venous). Methods Samples were obtained from 208 lead-exposed employees who donated t wo 2 ml venous blood samples into "lead-free" evacuated tubes. One blood sa mple was analyzed onsite using the portable field instrument while the seco nd sample was analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometr y, (GFAAS). Results According to GFAAS results, employee venous blood lead levels range d from 1 mug/dl to 42 mug/dl. The mean difference between the results from the field instrument and GFAAS was less than 1 mug/dl. Analysis indicates t hat the results from the field instrument yielded a slight positive bias ov erall (P value = 0.0213), with less bias for blood lead levels above 10 mug /dl (P value = 0.0738). Conclusions Within the blood range evaluated (1-42 mug/dl), the instrument performed adequately according to Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendmen ts (CLIA) proficiency requirements. The ability of the instrument to perfor m rapid analysis makes it potentially valuable to occupational health profe ssionals for medical monitoring or on-site investigations. Published 2001 W iley-Liss, lnc.(dagger)