LEAD INSPECTOR™ “Premium” Lead Test Kits are the only patented lead test kits on the market that employs 3 different methods for accurate testing.
Each kit will allow you to perform all these 3 different methods for testing!
The 3 different test methods are:
– Rapid Test Procedure (qualitative)
– Patented “Special Test” Procedure (semi-quantitative patented leach method)
– Test for Lead in Water
Rapid Test Procedure – Use this procedure to quickly test children’s toys, dry painted surfaces/paint chips, toy cars, baby bibs, children’s lunch boxes, pottery/ceramic ware, mini-blinds, plumbing/lead pipe/solder, bath tub glazes, furniture, food can seams, antiques, ceramic tile and other surfaces for lead.
• Clean the area of any dust or dirt.
• Insert a swab into the Indicator Vial (for 8 and 24 test packs) or dispense 4 drops of Indicator Solution onto a swab tip (for 100 test packs).
• Gently rub the surface to be tested with the cotton swab tip for about 30-60 seconds. If the surface or swab tip changes color, lead is present.
Special test Procedure (Patented Leach Method) – Use this procedure to quantify the approximate lead release in pottery/ceramic ware, fabrics (natural & man-made fibers), multi-layered paint or paint chips, mini-blinds, toys, children’s jewelry, Mexican candies, make up and candle wicks. This method is great to test practically anything for lead.
• Wash, rinse and dry the item you wish to test
• Fill the item with vinegar (or immerse the item/sample in vinegar). Allow to stand for a minimum 4 hours.
• Test resulting vinegar with Indicator Solution supplied in the kit.
• Compare color produced to the following chart:
Use this procedure to quantify the approximate lead release in garden/lawn soil, dust/dirt, play sand and renovation/construction dust.
• Place a small sample soil or dust in a lead-free container (plastic or glass will do). To collect a dust sample, simply moisten a swab tip with warm tap water and rub on dust to collect a representative sample. To collect a soil sample, scrape off ~1/8″ to 1/4″ of the surface layer and mix well.
• Add some vinegar (any clear vinegar will do) to cover the sample. Allow to stand for a minimum 4 hours.
• Test resulting vinegar with Indicator Solution.
• Compare color produced to the chart noted above
For testing thick paint with multiple layers – Take a small paint chip (or scrape off a sample from an inconspicuous place) and allow to sit in vinegar for 4 hours. The vinegar (mild acid) will penetrate the inner & outer layers and dissolve lead, if any. Then simply test as noted above. Complete instructions for this procedure and others are included in the kit.
Lead in water – Instant test for lead in water. Compare color produced to the chart shown above for approx. parts per million (ppm) lead. Get a good sample of potable water by allowing tap water to sit in the plumbing pipes overnite or over the weekend (this will give you the “worst case scenario” for dissolved lead in your water supply). Then fill a large plastic pitcher with water. Then test a small sample of the water by adding Indicator Solution. Note: The lower detectable limit (sensitivity) of the kit is 1 ppm (parts per million) lead which is above most current guidelines of 15 ppb (parts per billion) lead in water. This test will alert users to high levels of lead in potable water that will require immediate action.
Full instructions for all types of testing can be viewed here (8 & 24 test kit or 100 test kit) and are included with every kit!