Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
Comparison of haemoglobinometry by WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale and copper sulphate against haemiglobincyanide
I S Timan1, N Tatsumi, D Aulia
1Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Abstract:
Although estimation of haemoglobin is essential for diagnosing anaemia and assessing its severity, many health centres in developing countries do not have the facilities for haemoglobinometry. The WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) method is a simple and inexpensive clinical device that was recently developed in order to diagnose anaemia in such centres. In Indonesia, the copper sulphate specific gravity method is used for blood donor screening and also in primary health clinics in the rural and remote areas. In this study, the HCS method is compared with the copper sulphate method and with an earlier paper scale, the Tallquist method, against the standard haemiglobincyanide spectrophotometric method. The HCS method showed an acceptable level of precision and accuracy for use as a reliable screening tool to diagnose anaemia in patients and also for blood donor screening.
Related Concept Videos
Redox Titration: Iodimetry and Iodometry
Effects of EDTA on End-Point Detection Methods
In the visual method, metal-ion indicators (metallochromic dyes), which have distinct colors in their free and complex forms, are added to the mixture to signal the titration's end point. They form stable complexes with metal ions, but these complexes are weaker than the corresponding metal–EDTA complexes. As a result, EDTA...
Precipitation Titration: Endpoint Detection Methods
In the Volhard method, a standard excess of AgNO3 is first added to the...

