Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

PBBD
15070
Avoidance of exposure to lead is the treatment of choice. However, chelation therapy is available to treat
severe disease. British anti-Lewisite (BAL) administered intravenously was the classical mode of
chelation therapy. Oral dimercaprol has recently become available and is being used in the outpatient
setting except in the most severe cases. Measurement of urine excretion rates either before or after
chelation therapy has been used as an indicator of lead exposure. However, blood lead analysis has the
strongest correlation with toxicity. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) is a biologic marker of lead toxicity
and was previously used in conjunction with blood lead assays to screen for lead poisoning in children.
However, because of poor sensitivity and specificity, EP is no longer recommended for lead screening in
children. However, EP remains a useful tool for monitoring treatment of individuals with confirmed
elevated lead levels. Lead screening in children and protocols for assessment for treatment have been
detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Useful For: Detecting lead toxicity and monitoring treatment
Interpretation: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the blood lead
test as the preferred test for detecting lead exposure in children. Chronic whole blood lead levels 45 mcg/dL. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published the following standards for
employees working in industry: -Employees with whole blood lead >60 mcg/dL must be removed from
workplace exposure. -Employees with whole blood lead >50 mcg/dL averaged over 3 blood samplings
must be removed from workplace exposure. -An employee may not return to work in a lead exposure
environment until whole blood lead is 100
mcg/dL.
Reference Values:
LEAD
0-6 years: 0-4 mcg/dL
>or =7 years: 0-9 mcg/dL
Critical values
Pediatrics (< or =15 years): > or =20 mcg/dL
Adults (> or =16 years): > or =70 mcg/dL
ZINC PROTOPORPHYRIN