Lead, Urine (Occupational)

Diagnostic Use

Lead is excreted via the kidneys and the faeces. Measurement of urine lead is used most commonly to follow lead excretion of patients on chelation therapy for lead poisoning.

Urine lead is also measured to indicate exposure to tetra-alkyl (organic) lead which was used up until October 1996 as an antiknock agent in petrol. Excessive exposure to petrol is unlikely to lead to high urine lead levels.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

UPB

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Sample timing is not critical for occupational exposure

Registration

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

Separating

Aliquot to Core laboratory for UCRN

Turnaround Time

7 days

Test Code

4222