Test Details
Methodology
Inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Result Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Monitor exposure to mercury
Limitations
Blood mercury levels may be elevated due to the presence of inorganic mercury and/or organic mercury compound (e.g., ethylmercury and methylmercury). These alkylmercury compounds are generally not used in industry but are considered more toxic to humans than inorganic mercury.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Footnotes
References
Custom Additional Information
Acute and chronic mercury poisoning affects the kidneys, central nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract. The three telltale symptoms of mercury poisoning are impaired articulation, irregularity of muscular action, and constricted visual fields. Mercury poisoning through chronic exposure to metallic and inorganic forms of mercury generally produces nervousness, lassitude, tremor, and mucous membrane irritation. Inorganic mercury poisoning is associated primarily with peripheral effects, including gastroenteritis and tubular nephritis, whereas organic compounds predominantly affect the central nervous system (CNS) and effects may be severe and irreversible.2
Chronic inorganic mercury poisoning is an occupational disease of smelters, mercury miners, gilders, and factory workers. Inhalation of mercury vapors may lead to pneumonitis, cough, fever, and other pulmonary symptoms. The most reliable way to measure exposure to inorganic mercury is to measure urinary mercury levels. Correlation between urine levels and symptoms is poor, however.
The most common nonindustrial source of mercury poisoning is the consumption of methyl mercury-contaminated fish. Organic mercury poisoning is best detected in whole blood, as this form of mercury is located mainly in the RBCs. Organic mercury poisoning may develop quickly and is usually a more serious disease. Studies conducted by the CDC3 found that approximately 6% of childbearing-age women had levels at or above a reference dose, an estimated level assumed to be without appreciable harm (>5.8 μg/L). Women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant should follow federal and state advisories on consumption of fish.
Additional general population exposure to mercury is from coal-fired power plants where an estimated 75 tons of mercury are emitted into the atmosphere each year.4
BEI® are reference values intended as guidelines for evaluation of occupational exposure. BEI® represent biological levels of chemicals that correspond to workers with inhalation exposure equivalent to the threshold limit value (TLV®) of the chemicals. TLV®s refer to the airborne concentrations of substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse health effects.5
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.6 mL
Container
Royal blue-top (EDTA) tube; submit original tube.
Collection Instructions
Sampling time is end of shift at the end of the work week for industrial exposure monitoring. Metals with timing “end of shift at the end of the work week” (meaning four or five consecutive days with exposure) are eliminated with half-lives longer than five hours. Such metals accumulate in the body during the work week; therefore, their timing is critical in relation to previous exposures.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Reference Range
0.0–14.9 µg/L
Storage Instructions
Room temperature or refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Clotted specimen
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 085324 | Mercury, Blood | 5685-3 | 085324 | Mercury, Blood | ug/L | 5685-3 |
| Order Code | 085324 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Mercury, Blood | |||||
| Order Loinc | 5685-3 | |||||
| Result Code | 085324 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Mercury, Blood | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 5685-3 |