Biological sample bank
For use of the data in scientific research a permanent storage was made including all samples taken. The storage composes the thorax X-rays (N = 7100), hand X-rays (N=3600), the resting ECG-slips (N = 7100), spirometry slips, and the frozen serum/plasma bank. In the serum/plasma sample bank the samples are stored at -20oC. A bookkeeping system is connected to the bank, and on its basis the use of the samples can be followed. The bank includes a maximum of four 4 ml serum tubes and one 4 ml plasma tube for each participant, totally 31 000 tubes. Blood samples were originally available for all 7100 participants.
