Adequacy of capillary lead specimens

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Title Adequacy of capillary lead specimens
Publication Type thesis
School or College School of Medicine
Department Pathology
Author Johnson, Nathan H.
Date 1995-08
Description In response to the increased demand for reliable alternatives to venous lead testing, the Centers for Disease Control has called for increased research into using capillary methodologies. In the past, there have been problems with this procedure, primarily because of external lead contamination falsely elevating values. A three tiered approach was developed to assess the adequacy of capillary lead specimens. The first approach involved examination of a large database of capillary and venous samples for obvious differences. The second, approach involved analysis of elevated lead follow-ups for indications of gross contamination. The last approach involved experimentation to determine if hand washing eliminates gross contamination. Obvious differences were found between the venous and capillary databases. Gross contamination was rare, but the data suggest variables minor contamination. The analysis of elevated lead follow-ups demonstrated that gross contamination is sometimes present, but more likely to decrease in follow up results is due to day to day fluctuations in lead levels and decreases in minor contamination. Experimentation demonstrated that hand washings greatly reduces the amount of external lead contamination. Capillary lead testing should be considered a viable alternative to venous testing, provided that the patient and collector are meticulous in detail.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Toxicity
Subject MESH Lead; Laboratory Techniques and Procedures
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "The adequacy of capillary lead specimens." Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Print version of "The adequacy of capillary lead specimens." available at J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collection. RA4.5 1995 .J645.
Rights Management © Nathan H. Johnson.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 955,601 bytes
Identifier undthes,4694
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available).
Master File Extent 955,644 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s6zg6v13
Setname ir_etd
ID 191149
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6zg6v13
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