The Collection and Preparation of Human Blood Plasma or Serum for Trace Element Analysis

Trace element concentrations in blood plasma or serum have been assayed by numerous investigators using a variety of analytical techniques. For several elements, figures obtained in different centers are widely disparate. Impressive evidence has accumulated that a great deal of the inconsistencies should be ascribed to unsuspected contamination of the samples with exogenous material during their collection and preparation. In this paper, a number of potential sources of extraneous additions are indicated. Methods for controlling contamination are also briefly discussed.