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25216 Arsenic, Nails (ASNA)

Arsenic, Nails (ASNA)
Test Code: MISC
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 89848, Arsenic (As), As (Arsenic) 
Useful For
​Detection of nonacute arsenic exposure
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Nail​ Hair and Nails Collection Kit ​ 0.5 g​
0.1 g​
Collection Processing Instructions
​1. Prepare and transport specimen per the instructions in the kit or see Hair and Nails Instruction Sheet for Metals Testing in Special Instructions.
2. Clippings should be taken from all 10 fingernails or toenails.
Additional Information: If known, indicate source of nails (fingernails or toenails).
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature
Nail​ ​ ​ Ambient (preferred)​
Frozen ​
Refrigerated ​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Tuesday, Friday​
2 days​
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)​
Reference Lab
Reference Range Information
0-15 years: not established
> or =16 years: 0.0-0.9 mcg/g of nails
Interpretation
​Nails grow at a rate of approximately 0.1 inch/month. Nail keratin synthesized today will grow to the distal end in approximately 6 months. Thus, a nail specimen collected at the distal end represents exposure of 6 months ago.
 
Nail arsenic >1.00 mcg/g dry weight indicates excessive exposure. It is normal for some arsenic to be present in nails, as everybody is exposed to trace amounts of arsenic from the normal diet.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82175​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 89848, Arsenic (As), As (Arsenic) 
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​COM ​Misc Test
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Nail​ Hair and Nails Collection Kit ​ 0.5 g​
0.1 g​
Collection Processing
​1. Prepare and transport specimen per the instructions in the kit or see Hair and Nails Instruction Sheet for Metals Testing in Special Instructions.
2. Clippings should be taken from all 10 fingernails or toenails.
Additional Information: If known, indicate source of nails (fingernails or toenails).
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature
Nail​ ​ ​ Ambient (preferred)​
Frozen ​
Refrigerated ​
Useful For
​Detection of nonacute arsenic exposure
Reference Range Information
0-15 years: not established
> or =16 years: 0.0-0.9 mcg/g of nails
Interpretation
​Nails grow at a rate of approximately 0.1 inch/month. Nail keratin synthesized today will grow to the distal end in approximately 6 months. Thus, a nail specimen collected at the distal end represents exposure of 6 months ago.
 
Nail arsenic >1.00 mcg/g dry weight indicates excessive exposure. It is normal for some arsenic to be present in nails, as everybody is exposed to trace amounts of arsenic from the normal diet.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Tuesday, Friday​
2 days​
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82175​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.