Brief guide to analytical methods for measuring lead in blood; 2013

This document provides a brief overview of analytical methods commonly used for measuring lead in blood. It is primarily aimed at informing public health personnel and policy-makers who are not laboratory specialists but who may need to develop plans for population screening and other public health actions related to human exposure to lead. The document lists well-established analytical methods for measuring lead in blood and briefly describes some of their characteristics, including their advantages and disadvantages. It also highlights, for various types of applications and scenarios, the considerations that need to be taken into account when selecting an analytical method and when deciding about whether to establish a laboratory service for lead measurement or whether to contract it out. This document does not aim to provide an exhaustive description of analytical methods and protocols or to make specific recommendations regarding methodologies or specific instruments.