Potential methods for measuring and detecting lead in existing paint films:

Abstract

Recent legislation required the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish procedures to eliminate, as far as practicable, the hazards of lead-based paint poisoning in any existing HUD-controlled housing. Thus, HUD promulgated a regulation which requires abatement to eliminate lead-based paint poisoning hazards in housing in which the concentration of lead in paint equals or exceeds 1 mg/cm^. The legislation also required HUD to review test methods for measuring lead in paint. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was given this task. That review is the subject of this report. Test methods were evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) safety, 2) reliability, 3) accuracy, 4) precision, 5) detection limit, 6) ease of use, and 7)technical skill required to make a" measurement, 8) nondestructive, and 9) cost of an analysis. Methods were separated into two categories: 1) field test methods and 2) laboratory test methods. The laboratory test methods were also separated by whether the sample needed to be in solution or could be analyzed as a solid. None of the potential test methods met all of the desired criteria.

Methods for measuring lead concentrations in paint films

“…The literature was also reviewed for potential measurement methods for lead in paint [11]. Each method was evaluated on the basis of the following essential criteria: reliability, safety, and accuracy and precision.…”

“…From the literature review [11], it was concluded that measurement procedures based upon the use of some portable XRF analyzers could meet the essential and desirable criteria cited above. Currently, both K and L x-ray analyzers are available.…”