Exposure Tests

What It Tests

“Exposure testing” means measuring chemicals (or their metabolites) in your blood, urine, breath, hair, or RBCs to understand recent vs longer-term exposure. Choice of analyte and specimen matters:

• Heavy metals:

  • Lead (blood ± ZPP) for current/ongoing exposure.

  • Mercury: blood better reflects methylmercury (dietary fish), urine better reflects inorganic/elemental exposure.

  • Arsenic (urine speciation): separates inorganic/methylated from seafood-related organic forms; seafood can transiently elevate total arsenic. 

  • Cadmium (blood/urine), Chromium (urine, hexavalent), Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese as applicable.

• Solvents/VOCs (urine metabolites): benzene (tt-MA, S-PMA), toluene (o-cresol), xylenes (methylhippuric acids), styrene (mandelic/phenylglyoxylic acids)—collected end-of-shift when indicated.

• Pesticides: RBC acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) for organophosphate/carbamate effect; some programs also use dialkyl phosphate (DAP) or 3-PBA (pyrethroids). 

• PFAS: targeted PFAS panel (e.g., PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA) for persistent chemicals; results primarily support exposure assessment and counseling, not diagnosis. 

• Tobacco smoke/combustion: Cotinine (nicotine exposure) and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) for carbon monoxide.

Key Tests 

When to Test

• Baseline before starting a job with potential exposure (compare future results).

• Periodic surveillance per employer/industry protocol (e.g., heavy metals, solvents, cholinesterase seasons).

• Post-incident testing after spills, acute symptoms, or PPE failure—timing matters (often same day/end-of-shiftfor VOC metabolites).

• Symptom-driven testing (neurologic, GI, dermatologic, respiratory symptoms with plausible exposure).

• High-risk populations: children, pregnancy, CKD when exposure is suspected.

• Community environmental concerns (e.g., contaminated water, wildfire smoke) in coordination with clinicians/public health.

How to Prepare 

• Arsenic (urine speciation): Avoid seafood for 48–72 hours to limit benign organic arsenic interference; or request speciation to separate forms.

• Mercury: Blood is preferred for methylmercury; urine for inorganic exposures—your clinician may order both. 

• Urine metabolite tests (solvents/pesticides): collect end-of-shift or first-morning sample as indicated; avoid contamination; some results are creatinine-corrected to adjust for hydration.

• Cholinesterase monitoring: obtain pre-season baseline and repeat at consistent intervals during application seasons. 

• PFAS/other persistent chemicals: follow kit handling; results mainly support exposure counseling rather than treatment decisions. 

• General: disclose work tasks, PPE use, hobbies, and supplements/meds (e.g., fish oil, nicotine products) that may influence results. Do not use “provoked” chelation before testing unless directed by a clinician.

Interpreting Results

• Compare carefully: Reference ranges vary. Some programs use ACGIH BEIs (biological guidance values) to interpret worker biomonitoring alongside air limits (TLV-TWA); BEIs are guidelines, not legal standards.

• Speciation matters: Arsenic speciation distinguishes toxic inorganic/methylated forms from seafood-related organic arsenic that can temporarily raise total urinary arsenic.

• Matrix matters: Blood vs urine can point to different forms or timing of exposure (e.g., mercury). 

• Urine corrections: Creatinine-corrected results (µg/g creatinine) help adjust for dilution; look for both corrected and uncorrected values. 

• Cholinesterase: Depressions from a personal baseline can signal organophosphate/carbamate effect; escalate per program policy. 

• PFAS: Results do not predict future health problems; they can support exposure reduction counseling and shared decision-making.

Always review results with a licensed clinician and, when appropriate, occupational health or public health teams.

Related Conditions / Use Cases

• Heavy metal exposure (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium)

• Solvent/VOC exposure (benzene, toluene, xylenes, styrene)

• Pesticide exposure (OP/carbamate, pyrethroid)

• PFAS & persistent chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA)

• Secondhand smoke / CO exposure (cotinine, COHb)

• Employment & Occupational Health (cross-link to the Employment Tests hub)

Bundles & Panels

• Heavy Metals Blood Test Panel – Measures core toxic metal levels: arsenic, lead, and mercury via blood sample 

• Heavy Metals Micronutrients Blood Test Panel – Includes arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, lead, and mercury; integrates essential micronutrient markers for more nuanced interpretation 

• Heavy Metals Panel II, Blood – A more specialized blood panel covering additional heavy metal analytes beyond the basic panel 

• Heavy Metals Blood Test Panel 2 – Another blood-based heavy metal panel (distinct version) offering a slightly different or expanded analyte set compared to the original panel

• Comprehensive Toxic Metal 24 Hour Urine Test Panel – Captures 7 biomarkers via 24-hour urine collection, reflecting cumulative heavy metal burden over time

FAQs

Do I need to fast for exposure tests?
Usually no. Follow test-specific prep; some urine tests specify end-of-shift collection.

Why avoid seafood before an arsenic test?
Seafood contains organic arsenicals that can temporarily elevate total urine arsenic; speciation or a short seafood hold reduces false alarms.

Blood vs urine—how do I choose for mercury?
Blood reflects methylmercury (fish); urine reflects inorganic/elemental exposure. Some cases use both. 

What are BEIs and how are they used?
ACGIH BEIs are guidance values for worker biomonitoring used with air limits (TLV-TWA); they are not regulatory standards. 

How quickly should I test after an incident?
Often same day or end-of-shift for solvent metabolites; discuss exact timing with your clinician or employer program.

What if my urine result looks “dilute”?
Hydration affects spot urine. Labs often provide creatinine-corrected values (µg/g Cr) to adjust for dilution.

Do PFAS blood tests change my medical care?
PFAS results help with exposure counseling but do not predict future health problems or dictate specific treatment.

Can I use chelation before testing to ‘prove’ exposure?
Avoid provoked testing unless directed by a clinician; it can distort interpretation and carries risks.

Who sees my results—me, my employer, or both?
Disclosure depends on ordering pathway and policy (clinical vs employer compliance). Ask your program/clinic.

References

• ATSDR/CDC — Mercury: matrix choice for methylmercury vs inorganic mercury; ToxGuide/ToxFAQs. 

• ATSDR/CDC — Arsenic: seafood effect & options (speciation or brief seafood hold).

• Mayo Clinic Labs — Arsenic Speciation Test: seafood before collection may mislead results. 

• CDC — National Environmental Exposure Report (Units): creatinine-corrected urine results adjust for dilution.

• CDC — Biomonitoring Glossary: definition of creatinine correction.

• ACGIH — Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs): guidance values overview; operations manual.

• NIOSH — Cholinesterase Monitoring: RBC AChE/serum BChE for pesticide exposure programs.

• ATSDR/CDC — PFAS testing guidance for clinicians & patients.

Last reviewed: September 2025 by Ulta Lab Tests Medical Review Team

Tests for exposure can be ordered online. Toxic chemicals, chemical dangers, heavy metals, and lead poisoning are all tested for. Here you can place your order for lab testing and utilize the results to make educated health decisions. You can start with a simple lab test right now. To order the lab tests available to monitor your health, click on the link below. 

• All Exposure Tests
• Heavy Metal Tests
• Lead Blood Test
• Toxins

To learn more about laboratory tests that can be used to determine if you are being harmed by environmental toxins, click on the link below.