CDC Specimen-Collection Protocol for a Chemical-Exposure Event

For detailed instructions see CDC's Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected 
from People Who May Have Been Exposed to Chemical-Terrorism Agents.

Collect blood and urine samples for each person involved in the chemical-exposure event.

NOTE:  For children, collect only urine samples unless otherwise directed by CDC.

Blood-Sample Collection
For each person, collect blood in glass or plastic tubes tubes in the following order: 
1st: collect specimens in three (3) EDTA purple-top 4 mL or larger plastic or glass tubes;
2nd: collect another specimen in one (1) gray-or green-top glass tube.
Collect the specimens by following the steps below:

1. Collect a minimum of 12 mL of blood in three (3) 4 mL or larger glass or plastic tubes. 
   If using 3 mL tubes, use four tubes. Do not use gel separators.
   
2. Mix contents of the tubes by inverting them 5 or 6 times. Label tubes in order of collection:
   #1, #2, #3. 

3. Place bar-coded labels on each tubes, so that when the tubes are upright, the barcode 
   looks like a ladder. Store samples at 1º C to 10º C. Do not freeze.

4. After collecting samples in the purple-top tubes, collect one (1) blood sample in a gray- or green-
   top tube. Allow the tube to fill to its stated capacity. Do not use gel separators.
 
5. Mix contents of the tube by inverting it 5 or 6 times.

6. Place bar-coded labels on the tube, so that when the tube is upright, the barcode 
   looks like a ladder. Store samples at 1º C to 10º C. Do not freeze.

Urine-Sample Collection
For each person collect at least 25mL - 50 mL of urine in a screw-cap urine cap.

1. Label the urine cup with the appropriate bar-coded label.

2. Indicate on the cup how the sample was collected if method was other then "clean catch" (i.e., catherization).

3. Place bar-coded labels on all cups so that when the cup is upright, the barcode looks like 
   a ladder.

4. Freeze samples (optimally at -70º C).

11/2006 Department of Health and Human Services
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention