Ultrasonic Extraction/Anodic Stripping Voltammetry for Determining Lead in Household Paint: Summary of a Laboratory Study

Published

February 19, 2017

Author(s)

Walter J. Rossiter Jr, Blaza Toman, M Vangel, M E. McKnight, M Baghai Anaraki, A Signor, I Emenanjo, E Byrd

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results a three-year study conducted to evaluate the reliability of field-portable ultrasonic extraction-anodic stripping voltammetry (UE/ASV) for determining the amount of lead in laboratory-prepared and field-sampled paint films using certified lead inspectors or risk assessors trained to conduct the testing. In Year I, five operators each conducted UE/ASV analyses of 80 laboratory-prepared paint panels. It was found that lead levels were often considerably less than the known lead levels of the panels. Preliminary evidence suggested that a key contributor was incomplete lead solubilization during paint specimen sonication. It was, thus, questioned whether specimen grinding before sonication, specimen sonication, or interaction between these two factors played a role in the incomplete lead solubilization. In Year II, the research examined factors affecting the ultrasonic extraction of lead from laboratory-prepared paint specimens. It was found that the particle size of the ground specimen had the greatest effect, with sonication temperature and sonication time also being significant. Consequently, a preliminary recommendation was made to help to ensure adequately small particle size during analysis. In Year III, the research addressed the reliability and practicality of the preliminary particle size recommendation. The Year III results agreed with those of the Year II research in that, by far, the most important factor affecting lead recovery was extraction condition as defined by the grinding method (i.e., particle size), extraction temperature, and extraction time. Thus, the recommendation was proposed to compare the particle size of the ground paint specimen to that of a reference powder of known particle size (i.e., < 425 mm). If the comparison indicated that the particle size of the ground specimen was no larger than that of the reference powder, then lead analysis using field-portable UE/ASV may be performed under UE extraction conditions commonly used in practice.

Citation

Proceedings of the CIB 2004 World Building Congress

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

analysis, anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), building technology, lead recovery, lead-based paint, particle size, sonication conditions, testing, ultrasonic extraction (UE)

Citation

Rossiter Jr, W. , Toman, B. , Vangel, M. , McKnight, M. , Baghai Anaraki, M. , Signor, A. , Emenanjo, I. and Byrd, E. (2017), Ultrasonic Extraction/Anodic Stripping Voltammetry for Determining Lead in Household Paint: Summary of a Laboratory Study, Proceedings of the CIB 2004 World Building Congress (Accessed May 11, 2025)