Lab Matters Winter 2023 | Page 11

FROM THE BENCH

Figure 1 . Uncorrected Urinary Mercury ( mcg / L ) Biosurveillance Tracking

Figure 2 . Blood Mercury ( mcg / L ) Biosurveillance Tracking

quantitatively analyzed using modified versions of the Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats ( LRN-C ) Mercury in Urine and Blood Metals Methods on an Agilent 7900 ICP-MS system . Each sample received was analyzed and reported to the submitter within 24 hours and was discussed in regularly scheduled after action meetings .

Biosurveillance ( blood and urine ) samples were collected and tracked over a 20-month period based upon individual exposure for each family member . DSHS worked with the attending physicians and medical experts providing treatment to the affected child , canines and other family members until the family members ’ levels of mercury in blood and urine dropped below clinically relevant ranges .

Interpretation & Results Reporting

Clinically relevant levels of mercury were found in 64 % ( urine ) and 29 % ( blood ) of the submitted human samples . Sixtyseven percent of the canine samples had levels of urine mercury above 10 mcg / L . The 2-year-old female underwent chelation therapy in November 2021 as she was symptomatic , and the first sample analyzed by the DSHS CT Laboratory was collected post chelation therapy . All other members of the family were asymptomatic , and the decision to monitor them was made in lieu of medical countermeasures .

At each stage , final reports of the clinical testing were delivered to DSHS HAT and the DSHS PHR 9 / 10 Medical Director . This case demonstrates that it takes a collaborative spirit and a multi-agency approach to help families exposed to heavy metals . It also proves that the skills and resources available through the LRN-C are crucial in supporting complex exposure scenarios and biosurveillance . g