In 2 radioimmunoassays in use to detect antibodies to dsDNA, the Farr assay and the PEG assay, we observed inhibitory effects of normal human serum (NHS) on the DNA binding by SLE sera. This was found to be due by the fact that, during incubation at 37 degrees C, CO2, introduced in the incubation mixture by the serum, evaporates from the mixture. This results in increase in pH to values well above pH 8.0, which in turn leads to a decreased DNA binding by antibody. When SLE sera are tested at low dilution, this phenomenon may lead to false negative results. Proper pH control, by the use of buffers with a greater buffering capacity than PBS, completely prevented the observed inhibitory effects. However, under these conditions NHS bound significant amounts of DNA in both assays. The non-specific DNA binding by NHS was found to be heat-stable, but could be eliminated either by aerosil treatment of the sera or by addition of dextran sulphate to the incubation mixture. Lipoproteins and, to a lesser extent, the complement component C1q appear responsible for this non-specific binding. To avoid false negative results with SLE sera as well as non-specific binding by NHS, we propose the use of stronger buffers in combination with added dextran sulphate to the incubation mixture in both the Farr assay and the PEG assay.