Trace metal testing

Trace metals are minerals present in living tissues in small amounts. There are 2 types of trace metals: nutritionally essential and nonessential. These metals act as catalysts in enzyme systems and participate in oxidation-reduction reactions in energy metabolism.

All metals can be toxic if consumed long-term in high quantities, but certain metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium are particularly toxic to humans. However, heavy metal poisoning is rare. Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics Ireland offers the following trace metal tests:

Metal Sample Type TAT in days
Aluminium 2ml
Lithium Heparin plasma
Sodium Heparin plasma
No gel separator tubes
10
Cadmium urine 20 ml - Spot urine sample 17
Cadmium blood 3ml
Lithium Heparin Whole Blood
Sodium Heparin Whole Blood
No gel separator tubes
17
Cobalt 5ml
Lithium Heparin Whole Blood
No gel separator tubes
Whole blood EDTA
No gel separator tubes
17
Chromium urine Urine Sample 17
Chromium blood 5ml
Lithium Heparin Whole Blood
Sodium Heparin Whole Blood
EDTA Trace Metal tube (Navy Blue
Tube) Whole Blood EDTA
No gel separator tubes
17
Copper urine 1 tube : Urine -24 hours collection 6
Copper blood 2ml
Serum
Sodium Heparin Plasma
Heparin plasma
Lithium Heparin Plasma No gel separator tubes
6
Mercury urine 2 mL : Urine sample 17
Mercury blood 2ml
Lithium Heparin Whole Blood
Sodium Heparin Whole Blood
EDTA Trace Metal tube (Navy Blue Tube)
No gel separator tubes
17
Nickel urine 2 mL : Urine sample 17
Nickel blood 3ml
Serum
No gel separator tubes
17
Lead urine End of working shift - Spot Urine or 24-hour
urine sample
2 tubes
Refrigerated
17
Lead blood 5ml
Lithium Heparin Whole Blood
Sodium Heparin Whole Blood
EDTA Trace Metal tube (Navy Blue Tube)
No gel separator tubes
17
Selenium 2ml
Serum
Sodium Heparin plasma Lithium Heparin
Plasma
No gel separator tubes
9
Zinc 2ml
Serum
Sodium Heparin Plasma Lithium Heparin
Plasma
No gel separator tubes
6

Solvent testing

Solvents can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Individuals with certain occupations, such as painters, dry cleaners, auto mechanics, printers, and laboratory technicians are more at risk than others. Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics Ireland tests for a range of solvents, including benzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, perchloroethylene and xylene.

Solvent Sample Type TAT in days
Toulene 10ml urine 10 

Find a local laboratory

Three Rock Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin,D18 A4C0, Ireland