CURRENT NEEDS FOR INCREASED ACCURACY AND PRECISION IN MEASUREMENTS OF LOW-LEVELS OF LEAD IN BLOOD

Needs for accurate and precise measurements of low levels of lead in blood are discussed. Current methodologies are sufficient for measuring blood lead (PbB) levels >0.5 μm, but the accuracy and precision of those methodologies are inadequate for measuring lower (<0.5 μm) PbB concentrations. These analytical limitations are primarily due to contamination bias incurred during sample collection, processing, and analyses. Consequently, trace metal-clean procedures should be adopted to elucidate the contribution of environmental lead to the PbB levels of the U.S. population and to estimate the threshold(s) of subclinical lead toxicity. © 1992 Academic Press, Inc. All rights reserved.