---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 718.105"
title: "20"
number: "718.105"
heading: "Arterial blood-gas studies."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/718.105"
---

# §718.105. Arterial blood-gas studies.

- (a) **Blood-gas studies are performed to detect an impairment in the process of alveolar gas exchange.** This defect will manifest itself primarily as a fall in arterial oxygen tension either at rest or during exercise. No blood-gas study shall be performed if medically contraindicated.
- (b) A blood-gas study shall initially be administered at rest and in a sitting position. If the results of the blood-gas test at rest do not satisfy the requirements of Appendix C to this part, an exercise blood-gas test shall be offered to the miner unless medically contraindicated. If an exercise blood-gas test is administered, blood shall be drawn during exercise.
- (c) Any report of a blood-gas study submitted in connection with a claim shall specify:
  - (1) Date and time of test;
  - (2) Altitude and barometric pressure at which the test was conducted;
  - (3) Name and DOL claim number of the claimant;
  - (4) Name of technician;
  - (5) Name and signature of physician supervising the study;
  - (6) The recorded values for PC02, P02, and PH, which have been collected simultaneously (specify values at rest and, if performed, during exercise);
  - (7) Duration and type of exercise;
  - (8) Pulse rate at the time the blood sample was drawn;
  - (9) Time between drawing of sample and analysis of sample; and
  - (10) **Whether equipment was calibrated before and after each test.**
- (d) If one or more blood-gas studies producing results which meet the appropriate table in Appendix C is administered during a hospitalization which ends in the miner's death, then any such study must be accompanied by a physician's report establishing that the test results were produced by a chronic respiratory or pulmonary condition. Failure to produce such a report will prevent reliance on the blood-gas study as evidence that the miner was totally disabled at death. (e) In the case of a deceased miner, where no blood gas tests are in substantial compliance with paragraphs [(a)](#a), [(b)](#b), and [(c)](#c), noncomplying tests may form the basis for a finding if, in the opinion of the adjudication officer, the only available tests demonstrate technically valid results. This provision shall not excuse compliance with the requirements in [paragraph (d)](#d) for any blood gas study administered during a hospitalization which ends in the miner's death.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 65 FR 80045, Dec. 20, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1950, 15 FR 3174; 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 902(f), 934, 936; 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 405; Secretary's Order 10-2009, 74 FR 58834.

### Source

Source: 45 FR 13678, Feb. 29, 1980, unless otherwise noted.