Guidelines for the interpretation of analytical toxicology results and unit of measurement conversion factors

A data compilation has been published on the World Wide Web [http:// www.leeds.ac.uk/acb/annals] which aims to assist in the interpretation of analytical toxicology results in individual patients. 'Therapeutic' or 'normal' plasma/whole blood/urine concentrations, as well as the concentrations associated with serious toxicity (if known), for some 700 analytes of toxicological interest are given together with (when possible) relative atomic or formula masses, and mass/amount and amount/mass concentration conversion factors. This paper gives background and supplementary information which should be borne in mind when providing interpretation or using the Web table. Supplementary tables listing (i) common therapeutic drug monitoring assays and guidelines for interpretation of results, (ii) emergency toxicology analyses which may influence active treatment, (iii) blood carboxyhaemoglobin saturation and clinical features of toxicity, (iv) information important when interpreting the results of toxicology investigations, (v) factors which may affect interpretation of analytical toxicology results, and (vi) conversion factors for volatile compounds are included.