The Palintest SA-5000 with its unique disposable electrode technology is a breakthrough in testing for environmental lead. Simple on-site testing is now possible thanks to the Palintest system. Read how this technological breakthrough can help you with lead monitoring.

Lead is now recognised as a serious hazard in our environment. The previous use of lead compounds in paint, pipework, automobile fuels, batteries and industrial products over many years has led to widespread lead contamination of homes and workplaces. Legislation has been progressively introduced to control the problems of lead in the environment.

Today’s generation must tackle this recognised risk to safeguard not only our own health, but also the health of our children – and the children of coming generations. To take on this task, professionals in the lead abatement industry need a simple effective means of assessing lead levels

The Palintest SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer is a powerful analytical tool for testing lead levels in:-

• Paint
• Dust
• Air
• Soil
• Water

Testing for lead could not be easier! The Palintest Scanning Analyzer is simple and safe to use. It features the unique disposable electrode system. The sample is first treated according to an approved protocol. The electrode is then immersed in the prepared sample solution and the instrument does the rest. The lead concentration is displayed in 45 seconds – 3 minutes in the case of water samples. It is simple, specific and precise.

Underlying the simple operation is a wealth of the latest scientific innovation. A real technical breakthrough. The tiny disposable electrode is the result of many years of painstaking scientific research. This multi-layer mini electrode lies at the heart of this revolutionary lead testing system. 

Here's how it works

The process starts as soon as the electrode detects the sample. A tiny electric current is passed through the solution. Lead and other ions are deposited onto the electrode surface – just like electroplating.

Once the plating phase is complete, the scanning phase commences. The analyzer applies an increasing reverse potential to the electrode to strip off  the deposited metals. Each metal is stripped in a fixed order and at a precisely known potential. In this way, lead and other metals are separated from each other.

The scanning analyzer precisely controls the electrode cycle and captures and correlates thousands of signal readings. The instrument’s microprocessor interprets these readings to specifically identify lead and to determine its exact concentration. There are no interferences from the other metals or from non-metallic surfaces such as wood or plaster.

Because the scanning analyzer works simply by passing a tiny electric  current through the sample, it is so  safe and simple to use. Unlike conventional metal analysis systems for the laboratory, the scanning analyzer does not use X-rays, heat or other high-energy radiation sources.

Paint

A primary application of the SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer is testing for lead in paint. Paint from homes, workplaces and from steel structures such as bridges can be tested. Paint samples are taken by coring, or by scraping from a known surface area, depending on the nature of the substrate. The paint chips are extracted using an EPA Extraction Method or equivalent protocol. The extraction involves treating the paint sample with diluted nitric acid in an ultrasonic bath to release the lead into solution.

The prepared sample is then tested using the scanning analyzer. The result is given in either milligrams/sq cm (mg/cm2) or milligrams/sample (mg/sample). The latter result can be used to calculate the percentage lead in the paint. The test can be applied in either low, high or extended range to meet different practical circumstances on-site.

Dust

Dust particles containing lead, present a potentially serious risk in homes and in workplaces. The SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer provides a simple means of assessing lead in surface dust. Clearance testing for dust can be carried out on-site. A measured area is marked out with masking tape or by using a suitable template. The dust is then sampled using a special sampling wipe. After sampling, the lead is extracted by treating the wipe with diluted nitric acid in an ultrasonic bath.

The prepared sample is then tested using the Scanning Analyzer. The result is given as micrograms/sample (µg/sample). Since the dust is collected over a known area, this result will equate to micrograms/area. For example for a sample collected from a 12” x 12” area, the answer will be in terms of micrograms/sq ft (µg/ft2). The test can be applied in either regular or extended range to meet different practical circumstances on-site.

Air

Lead in airborne dust is a serious health risk particularly for lead abatement workers and for workers in industry. The SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer is ideal for assessing lead in airborne dust in order to meet OSHA worker protection regulations or other worker legislation.

To monitor airborne dust, a personal air sampler with a standard 37 mm sampling disc is worn by the user for a set period of time. The disc from the sampler is treated with dilute nitric acid in an ultrasonic cleaning bath to release any lead into solution.

The prepared sample is then tested using the Scanning Analyzer. A reading of the lead in dust concentration in terms of micrograms/sample (µg/sample) is obtained. The test results are normally converted to an 8-hour exposure value in accordance with standard OSHA protocol. The test can be used in either regular or extended range to meet different practical conditions in sampling.

Soil

Soil contamination can occur through a variety of sources such as the past disposal of lead-containing materials, run-off from streets and freeways or from general pollution. The SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer provides a reliable means of testing for lead contamination of soil.

Soil is collected by taking scoops of the soil particles from different places over the sampling area. An ASTM or similar protocol should be used for taking the soil sample. The collected sample is mixed and allowed to dry. A known weight of soil is extracted with diluted nitric acid in an ultrasonic cleaning bath to release the lead into solution. For a quick screening, test undried soil of known volume can be taken. 

The prepared sample is then tested using the Scanning Analyzer. The result of the test is expressed in terms of micrograms/sample (µg/sample). This reading can be converted by a simple calculation to milligrams per kilogram or parts per million – the units in which soil is most often reported.
The lead in soil test can be applied in either regular or extended range to meet different site conditions.

Water

Lead contamination in water usually occurs from old lead piping or from the use of lead-based solder in household pipe work. Lead also enters the aquatic environment through lead dust fallout, leaching in soil, urban run-off and waste discharges. Agencies such as the EPA, and international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, now apply stringent limits to the permissible amount of lead in drinking water. The SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer provides a simple, rapid means of determining lead in drinking water samples.

For fresh collected samples, the test can be carried out directly on the water sample. Stored samples are acidified with nitric acid to solubilise the lead. Some testing protocols may require acidification of the water sample as standard.

The Scanning Analyzer gives a direct reading of the lead in water concentration in terms of micrograms/litre (µg/l). This is numerically the same as parts per billion (ppb).

For professionals concerned with lead in water testing, a water specific Scanning Analyzer is available. The model SA-1000 Scanning Analyzer has the same range and detection limit for lead in water as the model SA-5000 but has the additional facility of testing for copper at the same time. The instrument is particularly suited to applying the lead-copper rule.

Using the Scanning Analyzer

The Palintest Model SA-5000 Scanning Analyzer is so simple to use. Firstly select the required test program – paint, dust, air, soil or water and range. The Scanning Analyzer then calls for the operator to enter or confirm the electrode pack calibration code. This code is specific for each combination of electrodes and conditioning tablets. The use of a specific calibration code ensures the optimum precision and accuracy for the system.

To carry out the test, a portion of the prepared test sample is transferred to a small tube and a SoluPrep conditioning tablet added. This tablet provides the correct electrical conductivity in the test sample. An electrode is then inserted into the electrode holder and immersed in the sample. The Scanning Analyzer does the rest.

In the case of paint, dust, air or soil samples, the instrument displays the result in 45 seconds. For water samples, because of the enhanced sensitivity for drinking water testing, the result will appear in 3 minutes.

The used electrode is ejected into the sample tube. The tube is capped and then disposed of with normal waste. The system is simple, precise and economical.