Interlaboratory comparability of serum cotinine measurements at smoker and nonsmoker concentration levels: a round-robin study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Cotinine, the primary proximate metabolite of nicotine, is commonly measured as an index of exposure to tobacco in both active users of tobacco and nonsmokers with possible exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). A number of laboratories have implemented analyses for measuring serum cotinine in recent years, but there have been few interlaboratory comparisons of the results. Among nonsmokers exposed to SHS, the concentration of cotinine in blood can be quite low, and extensive variability in these measurements has been reported in the past.

Methods

In this study, a group of seven laboratories, all experienced in serum cotinine analysis, measured eight coded serum pools with concentrations ranging from background levels of about 0.05 ng/ml to relatively high concentr

SUBMITTER: Bernert JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3167685 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature