Laboratory
AMMONIA

Agent Overview:		Ammonia, classified as a choking/pulmonary agent, is a gas at room 
			temperature but can be converted into a liquid for shipment and 
			storage. Exposure to high concentrations may cause severe burns to 
			the skin, eyes, throat and lungs. In extreme cases, blindness, lung 
			damage or death could occur. Inhalation of lower concentrations can 
			cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.

Lab Specimen Submittal:	Authorization by Dr. Jane Getchell, Director DPHL, Christina Pleasanton, 
			Deputy Director DPHL, or, Tara Lydick, Chemical Terrorism Coordinator 

Type of Specimens	Urine: 25mL-50mL screw-cap container 
Necessary for Testing:
			Whole blood:
			- Three, 5 or 7 mL purple-top (EDTA) tubes (vacuum fill only) AND
	       		- One, 5 or 7 mL gray-top or green-top (vacuum fill only) AND
			- Two empty urine cups and two empty blood tubes for each lot # submitted.

Packaging Instructions:	Urine: freeze specimen upon collection and ship on dry ice; label 
			specimens and package individually; wrap with absorbent material.
		
			Whole blood: place filled tubes in a shipping rack for stability, wrap the 
			tubes in absorbent material, and secure with tape.  Place the 
			packaged tubes in a secondary unbreakable container. Specimens 
			may be shipped cold but must not be frozen.

			All: wrap sample containers and layers with tamper-proof, waterproof 
			forensic evidence tape initialed by collector, being careful not to cover 
			the sample labels.  Ship to DPHL as Biological Substance, Category B 
			(Packing Instruction 650).

Receiving Specimens	Authorized specimens are received at the rear (loading dock)	            
at DPHL: 		entrance of the laboratory.  Submitters must present ID and have proper 
			forms completed.

Handling of Specimens:	Chain of custody procedures must be followed.  Urine specimens 
			should be frozen upon collection.

Reporting Results: 	Reference laboratory will notify DPHL as soon as possible. The 
			Potential Exposure Call Log and Information form will provide 
			information for notification of testing results outside of the DPHL.

Contact Information:	Jane Getchell, DrPH, Director DPHL, 302-223-1520 (24/7 coverage)
 
    

24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 04/08  Doc. No. 35-05-20/08/04/18