Put a new leading test technology at the test

New lead lead tests that promise “Help end lead poisoning“Arrive the market. They are inexpensive and easy to use, but they work? Denver7 survey puts them to the test.

Concerns, detection

Large titles on lead found in everything taps has formula Are everywhere on the internet, and lead poisoning continues to be a serious problem in Colorado. A The 2021 study showed that around 72% Children of Colorado under 6 had been detected in their blood.

At a time when lead poisoning is a serious concern, home test kits use new technologies and praising more reliable results than previous swab tests.

The basic idea is simple: choose a surface, shine the UV pocket lamp included and spray the reagent.

“If you see Green, you know there is head,” said Xander Terpstra, CEO of Lumetallix, who created the first test of this type.

Terpsstra said that chemists in the Netherlands accidentally discovered that a salt called methylammonium bromide linked to lead crystals. After a chemical reaction, the compound became fluorescent under the ultraviolet light if lead was present.

“This is a new full technology,” said Terpstra. “It is about 1,000 times more sensitive than the common swabs you find on the market. So we think it’s the best thing available at the moment.”

The new technology is not yet approved by federal regulators, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In a declaration at Denver7 survey, the consumer product Safety Commission wrote: “Lead screening must be carried out with a fluorescence machine on X -ray (XRF). Lead test kits sold commercially are generally unreliable and should not be used. ”

• Figure exposure can lead to serious health effects in children, ranging from development delays, learning difficulties and behavioral problems. Óscar counteras breaks down the signs to be monitored in history below:

Colorado solutions: infant lead prevention program

Alison Barbee with the Colorado child’s lead prevention prevention program uses an XRF machine to carry out lead assessments for houses in the condition.

“Lead, when ingested or inhaled, can cause behavioral learning and cognitive disorders, as well as other health symptoms, if it remains in the system for a long time,” said Barbee, who added that the main lead in the houses is lead paint.

But the state also proposes to test everything, from water to dishes through spices for families with children who test positive for lead poisoning.

The state does not use new home tests, but Barbee said that leading to lead poisoning could be a net positive.

“We appreciate the innovation that the industry has made, and we applaud that it allows the coloradans to do these tests at home,” said Barbee. “But if they are concerned, especially if they have children, we recommend having their children tested and at least talking to their health professional.”

If you want to know if your child could be at risk of lead poisoning, the state has a one -minute quiz here.

Limits of home tests

Even the manufacturers of the new lead test kits recognize that there are limits to what tests can detect.

Eric Ritter, known on social networks as EriceverYingleadFlouro-Spec Inc. has the second test kit on the market using this technology, after Lumetallix. Ritter said that tests do not work on the type of lead in food and spices, cannot be used to test water and do not tell you the amount of lead in the object.

“Obviously, you cannot detect all lead, especially if it is buried,” said Ritter. “So, if there is lead below the surface, you will be able to know anything until you really touch the chemical to this track, which could give people a false feeling of security.”

Tamara Rubine, known on social networks as Direct the motherhas agreed that tests can give a false feeling of security. She saw false negatives on the products she knew contained lead.

“The problem is that they give false negatives on many consumer goods,” said Rubin, who said that the best use of new tests is to determine if the painting is carried out, but not for consumer goods. “It’s great for people to have a home test kit option to help pin things, but it has become a bit out of control given the limits, and people do not take the time to understand or read or understand the limits of these different home test kit technologies. If the spraying kit gives a false negative, then someone has a feeling of security.”

Denver7 survey: informal test of lead tests

Denver7 Investigates wanted to put the new kits to the test. Barbee went to the house of the consumer investigator Jaclyn Allen and tested everything, from the walls to the doors through his favorite tea saucers. We then revise everything with the home test kits.

For the most part, the kits had the same results as the XRF test of the state: no lead was found on the walls, the doors or other painted surfaces. However, the state XRF test revealed that Allen’s favorite tea saucer had high lead levels, but the saucer did not react with home tests.

“I cannot tell you whether or not the lead is in the glaze of ceramics or whether it is actually in the clay of ceramics,” said Barbee. “Generally, we see in clay products that use bentonite clay, there are naturally more lead content in this type of clay than in other types. You can sometimes see that ceramics or other clay uses.”

Terpsstra, CEO of Lumatallix, said that no test is perfect, but this technology is the best affordable commercial test to date.

“Of course, this is not the answer to everything. We understand that there can be surfaces where a simple spectrometer test can be the best. And a simple consumption test may not be what you want,” said Terpsstra. “But in order to make sure that many people around the world are starting to test in their environment, we think that the Lumetallix test kit is the best right now.”

So what should it be done with an element that tests positive for lead? What about this tea saucer which contains high levels of lead?

Barbee said that as long as he was not damaged, he could be kept and used. But do not microwave it or probably not eat something acid.

Denver7 Investigates has also found several glasses and cups with painted letters and logos that have been tested positive for lead, but Barbee has said that they can also be sure of continuing to use.

“If he is flaying, taking off or children touch and eat in it, it can be worrying,” said Barbee. “I guess this logo had a kind of lead content when it was created. But the glassware itself is sure.”

Denver7