The effect of container material, storage time and temperature on cadmium and lead levels in heparinized human whole blood.

The effect of container material (polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, borosilicate glass and Pyrex glass), storage time (0, 1, 3, 6, 13, 20, 28 and 60 days), and temperature (22 degrees C, 4 degrees C and -10 degrees C) on cadmium and lead levels in heparinized human whole blood was studied using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Whole blood samples stored in polycarbonate containers at -10 degrees C did not show significant change in the concentrations of cadmium and lead up to 60 days. Also, the cadmium and lead levels remained unchanged for two weeks when the samples were stored in polyethylene and polypropylene vessels at 4 degrees C.