Understanding Your Medical Test: What It Is, How It Is Performed, and Why Your Doctor May Order It
This test measures the amount of benzophenone in your blood to evaluate exposure to this chemical compound commonly found in sunscreens, cosmetics, and plastics.
{"Measures benzophenone levels in serum or plasma","Used to assess exposure to UV-absorbing chemicals in personal care products","Helps evaluate potential health effects from chemical exposure","Simple blood draw test performed in a clinical setting","Results help healthcare providers understand cumulative exposure"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 16444-2
- Short code
- BZPS
- Synonyms
- Benzophenone SerPl-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum collection tube (no anticoagulant) or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 83789
- SNOMED
- 395075009
- Specimen volume
- 2 mL serum or plasma
- Stability
- Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8°C; Frozen: 30 days at -20°C or below. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 72–168 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a diagnostic procedure that gives your healthcare provider important information about how your body is working, helping to identify possible health conditions, confirm or rule out a diagnosis, and guide decisions about your ongoing care and treatment.
The benzophenone blood test is a laboratory test that measures the concentration of benzophenone in your serum or plasma. Benzophenone is a chemical compound widely used as an ultraviolet (UV) absorber in various consumer products, including sunscreens, lip balms, fragrances, shampoos, and plastics. This test helps healthcare providers determine the extent of your exposure to benzophenone-type compounds through environmental and product contact.
How this test is performed depends on what your doctor is looking for, but it usually involves collecting a small sample, such as blood, urine, or tissue, or using imaging equipment; a trained member of your care team will explain each step, answer your questions, and help you stay comfortable throughout the procedure.
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory where it is processed to separate the serum or plasma. The concentration of benzophenone in the liquid portion of your blood is then measured using specialized analytical techniques.
Your doctor may order this test to help diagnose the cause of new symptoms, monitor a condition you already have, check how well a current treatment is working, or screen for potential problems before they cause noticeable signs, so that the results can guide the most appropriate plan of care for you.
Your doctor may order this test if there are concerns about your exposure to benzophenone compounds. This may be relevant for individuals who use large amounts of sunscreen or cosmetic products, people working in industries that manufacture or use these chemicals, or for research purposes to understand population exposure levels.
Reference range
Reference values have not been established for benzophenone in the general population; results should be interpreted in the context of clinical and occupational exposure history.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Avoid topical application of personal care products containing benzophenone (sunscreens, cosmetics) for 24-48 hours prior to collection when feasible, as these may transiently elevate serum levels.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Benzophenone and its derivatives are commonly used UV filters in personal care products. While these compounds are generally considered safe at typical exposure levels, there is ongoing research into their potential endocrine-disrupting effects and their ability to accumulate in the body. This test helps researchers and healthcare providers understand the extent of human exposure to these chemicals. Elevated levels may indicate high cumulative exposure, which could warrant further investigation into product use patterns and potential health implications.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Is the test dangerous?
What do the results mean?
How long does it take to get results?
Sources
- 1LOINC Code ReferenceSource
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy