Evaluation of a portable blood lead analyzer with occupationally exposed populations

Background: This project evaluated a portable electroanalytical instrument that is used to rapidly analyze blood lead levels in individuals, using a fresh whole blood sample (venous). Methods: Samples were obtained from 208 lead-exposed employees who donated two 2 ml venous blood samples into "lead-free" evacuated tubes. One blood sample was analyzed onsite using the portable field instrument while the second sample was analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Results: According to GFAAS results, employee venous blood lead levels ranged from 1 μg/dl to 42 μg/dl. The mean difference between the results from the field instrument and GFAAS was less than 1 μg/dl. Analysis indicates that the results from the field instrument yielded a slight positive bias overall (P value = 0.0213), with less bias for blood lead levels above 10 μg/dl (P value = 0.0738). Conclusions: Within the blood range evaluated (1-42 μg/dl), the instrument performed adequately according to Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) proficiency requirements. The ability of the instrument to perform rapid analysis makes it potentially valuable to occupational health professionals for medical monitoring or onsite investigations. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.