Lynn S. Hill

Date of Award

9-1993

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Richard S. Hartley, PhD

Abstract

This research compares the performance of five chemical spot-test kits on lead-based paints. The kits are designed to give a qualitative assessment of lead in paint. The intent of the research effort was to develop a standard evaluation procedure for follow-on studies and assess the baseline performance of the kits. The test kits in this study use either sodium sulfide or sodium rhodizonate to react with the lead. The presence of lead is indicated by a color change. The kits were used to test prepared sample paint films at seven known lead concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 1.3% by weight. The study was designed to minimize variables such as paint composition, paint age, layered combinations of paints, type of substrate, and user training. Two sodium sulfide kits failed with 100% false positive readings. The remaining sodium rhodizonate test provided positive and negative readings that varied as expected with concentration. For this kit, probabilities of detection were calculated and a performance curve was generated and compared to a discomfort curve.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENP-93S-01

DTIC Accession Number

ADA270457

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

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