Fluoride, Urine (Occupational)

Diagnostic Use

Industrial exposure to fluoride occurs in the manufacture of superphosphate, where phosphate rock (which contains small amounts of fluoride) is crushed and dried, releasing fine particles of fluoride dust. Fluoride is also released as an impurity in the production of aluminium. Workers are monitored to prevent osteofluorosis.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

UFL

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Recommended sampling time is PRE SHIFT - following a period of 16 hours with no exposure; POST SHIFT - the last 2 hours to immediately following the end of the working day.

Registration

Send to separating if ambient. Send to trace metals if frozen.

Separating

Aliquot to Core laboratory for UCRN

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Test Code

4086

Specimen Type

• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• BD Urine Tube (no additive)

Acceptable

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

20

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• BD Urine Tube (no additive)

Acceptable

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

20

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

5

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Minimum Volume (ml)

5

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Courier to lab ambient or chilled.

Interpretation

Urine fluoride occupational exposure interpretation
Industrial sample results depend on pre or postshift sampling times.

The pre-shift sample reflects the body (skeletal) burden of fluoride
while post-shift samples reflect exposure.
Urgent testing by arrangement.

Reports issued by Canterbury Health laboratories will have results along with current Normal population Reference Intervals (RI).
For interpretation against Biological exposure indexes (BEI) please refer to the latest Worksafe’s : Biological Exposure Index (BEI) review.

See link in “Additional Information” tab below for Workplace Exposure Standards on the Worksafe.govt.nz website

Test Method

Ion selective electrode

Non-Funded Test Cost

$100.31 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4086

Resources

• Workplace Exposure Standards

Contact Information

Enquiry Form