TOXICOLOGY
Other Laboratory Testing
In addition to our core laboratory drug and alcohol testing services via urine, oral fluid and hair we also provide other laboratory services, which complement our core services including Blood Borne Virus Testing and Benzene Testing.
Blood Borne Virus Testing
Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) are a serious public health concern. It is crucial that those in high-risk groups such as injecting drug users are tested regularly so that appropriate treatment decisions can be made.
When taking whole blood samples, poor venous access and a lack of trained staff can lead to poor screening uptake. Our dried blood spot testing service gives a simple, quick, cost effective method for regular screening whilst increasing uptake in groups where whole blood samples are less popular.1
We provide a BBV service to test for Hepatitis B (Surface Antigen and Core Antibody), Hepatitis C (Antibody and Qualitive PCR) and HIV (Antigen/Antibody), using dried blood spot samples. The BBV sample collection kit is manufactured and distributed by Abbott Toxicology Ltd. BBV analysis is provided by an independent ISO 15189 accredited Health Institution laboratory.
Features
- No venous access required
- Quick and easy sample collection that can be carried out by any trained healthcare professional
- Only test for the blood borne viruses you need
- Screen for active hepatitis C virus using PCR without an initial antibody screen
- Free management information
References
1. Hickman, M., McDonald, T., Judd, A., Nicholes, T., Hope, V. et al., 'Increasing the uptake of hepatitis C virus testing among injecting drug user in specialist drug treatment and prison settings by using dried blood spots for diagnostic testing: a cluster randomized controlled trial'. Journal of Viral Hepatitis (2008) 15; 250-598
Benzene Testing
Our Benzene Exposure Biomonitoring service analyses urine samples as part of routine or post incident testing, to help assess the protection measures in place for occupational benzene exposure, to ensure they are working or are being used correctly.
Benzene is a highly flammable liquid that occurs naturally in crude oil and natural gas. You may be exposed to benzene if you work in certain environments, such as oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants or the storage, distribution and use of petrol or benzene.
Our service uses liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to test for levels of S-phenyl mercapturic acid (S-PMA). S-PMA is a metabolite of benzene and indicates total benzene exposure from all sources, whether by vapour inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. S-PMA is therefore recognised as the best biomarker of occupational benzene exposure.
Features
- Effective risk prevention measure and risk assessment tool
- Simple non-invasive urine sample collection provides minimal disruption to workflow
- S-PMA is recognised as the best biomarker of occupational benzene exposure