Arsenic
- Description
- Arsenic by ICP-MS
- Clinical details
- Arsenic exists as both organic and inorganic forms, neither has any known biological function. Inorganic and organic arsenic salts are well absorbed when ingested and are rapidly distributed to the skin, nails, and hair where it binds to keratin. Arsenic exists as a number of species and oxidation states having marked differences in toxicity. If taken acutely, arsenic can cause diarrhoea and acute renal failure. If exposure is chronic, then abdominal pain, upper respiratory tract difficulty can develop. Organic forms of arsenic are relatively non-toxic. Arsenic can be measured in both urine and whole blood; however urine is the preferred sample. Organic arsenic is present in seafood and therefore it should be excluded from the diet for 5 days before a sample is taken.
- Reference range
Blood Arsenic <0.13 µmol/L
Urine Arsenic: Urine(24hour):<0.13 µmol/24 h
Urine (random): <40 nmol/mmol creatinine
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Reference Services : King's College Hospital
- Laboratory
- Trace Elements
- Sample type and volume required
- 2ml EDTA whole blood. 20 ml urine (Portion of 24 hour collection [acid-washed bottle] in sterile universal, record total volume on sample tube or request form). Random urine collection in 25ml Sterilin Universal containers.
- Storage and transport
- Stable at 4°C. Send by overnight first class post.
- Turnaround time
- 10 working days
- Contacts
Toxicology Department at King’s Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 5881
Email: kch-tr.toxicology@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 3rd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSTrace Elements Laboratory at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3008
Email: kishor.raja@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – Top Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS