AS 2636—1994

Australian Standard
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Sampling of venous and capillary

blood for the determination of
lead or cadmium concentration
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee CH/6, Analysis of Body Fluids
for Metals Content. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia
on 14 February 1994 and published on 11 April 1994.

The following interests are represented on Committee CH/6:

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
Australian Mining Industry Council
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Department of Health, N.S.W.

Hunter Area Pathology Services
Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, S.A.
National Health & Medical Research Council
Prince Henry/Prince of Wales Hospital
Royal College of Pathologists of Australia
Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania
Royal North Shore Hospital, N.S.W.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, N.S.W.
WorkCover
Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide

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This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 87073 .

 AS 2636—1994

Australian Standard
This is a free 5 page sample. Access the full version at http://infostore.saiglobal.com.

Sampling of venous and capillary

blood for the determination of
lead or cadmium concentration

First publi shed as AS 2636 — 1983.

Second editi on 1988.
Thir d editi on 1994.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 8827 0
 AS 2636—1994 2

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by Standards Australia Committee for the Analysis of Body
Fluids for Metals Content under the direction of the Multitechnics Standards Policy Board.
This Standard supersedes AS 2636 — 1988, Sampling of venous and capillary blood for the
determination of lead and cadmium concentration.
The sampling of blood for the determination of lead and cadmium presents a number of
problems, the major one being the possibility of contamination of the sample. This Standard
has been prepared to provide recommended procedures for obtaining samples of both venous
and capillary blood, free from analyte contamination and suitable for use in the determination
of the analyte concentration. Venous blood samples are used in preference to capillary
samples to minimize contamination with lead or cadmium from the skin or from other
sources.
The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the
application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part
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of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.

This Standard is intended to be read in conjunction with AS 2134.2, Recommended practice
for chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry, Part 2: Graphite furnace
spectrometry and AS 1399 — Guide to AS 1199— Sampling procedures and tables for
inspection by attributes.

CONTENTS
Page
1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. .. .. ... ............ 3
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..... .. .. . ..... ... .. .. .. 3
3 EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... ........ 3
4 SAMPLING OF VENOUS BLOOD . . . . . . . .. .. ... .. .. ......... ... .. . 4
5 SAMPLING OF CAPILLARY BLOOD . . . . . .. .. .. . .. .. ........... ... . 5
APPENDICES
A METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF LEAD OR CADMIUM
CONTAMINATION OF BLOOD COLLECTION SYSTEMS,
BLOOD CONTAINERS AND SWABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
B RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS FOR PERSONS PERFORMING
LABORATORY TESTS ON CLINICAL SPECIMENS OR OTHER
POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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 3 AS 2636 — 1994

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Sampling of venous and capillary blood for the
determination of lead or cadmium concentration

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out procedures for the sampling of venous and capillary
blood for the determination of lead or cadmium concentration. It does not extend to the
collection of serum or plasma. A method for the determination of the analyte contamination
from blood collection systems, blood containers and swabs is set out in Appendix A.
NOTES:
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1 For the purpose of this Standard, ‘analyte’ refers to lead or cadmium.

2 The sampling of venous or capillary blood for the determination of lead or cadmium is an
intricate procedure and should only be carried out by a practised phlebotomist and in
accordance with this Standard.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1199 Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
1399 Guide to AS 1199—Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
2134 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry
2134.2 Part 2: Graphite furnace spectrometry
2252 Biological safety cabinets
2252.1 Part 1: Biological safety cabinets (Class 1) for personnel protection

3 EQUIPMENT
3.1 General A random sample of all equipment used for the collection and storage of
blood samples shall be checked for analyte contamination. Initially, the number of items
tested shall be determined by a single sampling plan for normal inspection, at a general
inspection level 2 in accordance with AS 1199 and AS 1399. The number of samples tested
shall not be less than 13. This is required to ensure the highest possible unacceptable level
of contaminated test samples is one in 100.
Suitable procedures for determining levels of the contaminant analyte are contained in
Appendix A. If any test sample has a concentration of lead greater than 0.01 µmol/L or a
concentration of cadmium greater than 2 nmol/L then the batch of items from which that
sample was prepared shall be deemed unsuitable for use.
3.2 Plasticware Both coloured and non-coloured plasticware can be used. In some cases
however, coloured plasticware may give rise to contamination from yellow-orange cadmium
colouring compounds.
3.3 Blood collection systems Sterile needle and syringes or sterile evacuated collection
systems shall be used for the collection of venous blood.
3.4 Lancets A sterile disposable lancet shall be used for making the skin puncture for the
collection of capillary samples. The lancet may be mounted in a spring-loaded holder.
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AS 2636-1994, Sampling of venous and capillary

blood for the determination of lead or cadmium
concentration
This is a free 5 page sample. Access the full version at http://infostore.saiglobal.com.

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