Science Fair Project

Developer:

Mr. Dave Lachance  B.Sc. 
email
c/o Abotex Enterprises Limited
P.O. Box 610421
Port Huron, Michigan  48061-0421

Grade
Levels:

6 to 12

Disciplines:

Environmental Science

Goals:

1. To heighten student awareness of the impact of having high levels of lead in the home.
2. To introduce students to a safe and simple method of testing for the presence of lead in household items.
3. Learn how to reduce the risk of lead poisoning in the household 
4. Introduction to basic chemistry testing, following a protocol and testing observations.
   

Objectives:

• Student will be able to test for the presence of lead in the home.
• Student will collect and gather data based on their observations.
• Student will interpret their results and decide what options are available or what precautions should be taken to reduce their family's exposure to lead.

Background:

Lead is an odorless, tasteless, soft, gray metal. On exposure to air, lead is rapidly covered with a film of oxide, hydroxide, and carbonate. Similarly, when lead is exposed to water with dissolved oxygen, lead hydroxide, sulfate and carbonate are formed. A small amount of the salts then pass into solution. Lead salts are found in air, food, household dust and soil. If ingested or inhaled over a period of time, lead and its salts may cause serious internal damage such as impaired kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. Particularly susceptible to the toxic metal or salts are small children.

Lead gets into the drinking water through the use of lead-containing pipes, solder, brass and chrome-plated faucets. The homes most likely to have a lead problem are older houses with lead pipes and homes with lead service lines.

Materials:

    1. Lead Inspector lead test kit (24 or 100 test pack - order here)
    2. Any of the following items: drinking (potable) water, ceramic pieces,   
        dishes, antiques, dust or dirt samples, children's vinyl lunch boxes, soil, glassware
     (including lead crystal), old toys, paint chips, candle wicks, children's jewelry, food
     cans (seams), leaded and lead-free solder, lead sinkers.
    3. Camera (regular or digital)

Safety Tips:

1. If you do touch an item that test positive for lead, wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Avoid contact with activated swab tips or Indicator Solution. If you touch it accidentally, wash your hands thoroughly.  Also, wash hands after handling Confirmation Strips.
3. Do testing in a well-ventilated area (outdoors, if possible).
   

Procedure:

Data Collection:  

1. Test the items or surfaces using the kit and record results using the chart below. Click here for info on using the kit. 

2) Take a photo of both the item and the test result swab / solution.

3) Attach photos and list data on a bristle board for presentation.

Materials         Tested

Lead Present (Brownish - Black Color) Concentration of Lead?

Lead Not Present (No color change)

Comments

drinking (potable)
water

ceramic pieces,  
dishes, pottery

antiques,  (dishes etc.)

dust or dirt,

children's lunch boxes,

soil,

glassware
(including lead
crystal),
old toys, toy
cars etc.

painted surfaces
(paint chips etc.)

candle wicks

baby cribs

children's jewelry

children's plastic
toys

food cans (seams),

leaded solder

and lead-free solder,

lead sinkers

Class Presentation:

CLICK HERE FOR A REALLY COOL PERIODIC TABLE!

1. Illustrate the proper way to use the Lead Inspector Kit for the class.
2. Illustrate how to handle the various test objects.
3. Pass the kit around to the students.
4. Analyze and discuss data.
5. Discuss ways on how you can reduce the risk of lead poisoning or exposure in one's household.  Click here for more info.  
6. Finally, pupils will discuss what precautions they will take now and in the future to reduce their family's exposure to high levels of lead.


Optional (for senior grades):  Discuss the chemistry involved using the kit.  

The active ingredient in the Indicator Solution is Sulphide anions (S--).  When mixed with water, reacts with lead cations (Pb++) to produce a distinctive brownish-black color. The chemical equation is as follows: