Measurement of Filter Paper Bloodspot Lead by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The potential for adverse effects of lead (Pb) exposure on development in children remains a health concern in the U.S., and programmatic screening of children for elevated blood lead levels ([Pb] >10 μg/dL) is widespread. With sufficiently sensitive technology for the measurement of lead such as ICP-MS, it is possible to utilize filter paper bloodspots as a specimen suitable for lead screening. Filter paper bloodspot specimens are relatively inexpensive, easy to collect, and stable during transport. For these reasons they are preferred by many program clinics for child subjects. We describe measurement of Pb from filter paper bloodspots using ICP-MS and bloodspot standards.