A Great XRF Tool

I just read a fresh article written by a cadre of scientists in Chem Rxiv (an analytical Chemistry magazine) about using an XRF to do dust sampling screening in the field. They state, and I agree, that there has been a long-standing need to be able to do a quick lead screening in the field. I recall using a dust wipe and folding it into a plastic coin holder and shooting it to see if it captured any lead.

The Ghost wipes in their experimentation picked up more dust than the tape, so maybe I need to teach them my trick. The inherent problem of the XRF is that the window only sees 1 cm². Then you need to do the math to figure out what the actual PPM of lead is in the specified area.

It reminds me of the parable about the limitations of human perception. A group of blind guys trying to describe an elephant. When you can’t see the area at once, you could get it wrong entirely.

No matter what, there is an ASTM standard E1792 for dust wipes, and you always have to send it off to an NLLAP-certified lab for confirmation. Nothing has changed on that front.

Quick Lead Screening In the Field

The problem is that for ages we have been sampling window troughs (the pocket at the bottom of an operable window), window sills, and floors, then sending them off using my favorite drug “Hopium” for a pass at the lab. Well, that was all well and good, but then the EPA lowered the DLRL (Dust-Lead Action Levels) in January of 2025, and it became a bearcat to pass. This is costing thousands in wasted productivity and recleaning, and retesting. It is no surprise that if there were a magic wand you could use to foretell a passing test at the lab, then we would use it. DUH

Article Summary

If you take some painters’ tape that is 3″ x 1 1/2″ and sample an area, then fold it up and shoot it with the XRF, you get some pretty good results that correlate with lab testing in their 65 sample regimen. The funny part for me is that to confirm the presence of lead on the sticky side of the tape, they sprayed the Lumetallix product that includes our primary ingredient (Methyl Ammonium Bromide) to confirm the presence of lead.

Hey I Know Let’s Be Smart

Lumetallix Instant Lead Test

Forrest famously said “Stupid is as Stupid Does” meaning that people are not inherently stupid and that their behavior defines their intelligence. Let’s assume that everyone in the lead testing world does not own a $35,000.00 ish machine called a hand held XRF and you want to do a screening for lead that can see a nano particle of lead with the depression of your finger and shining a lead light for $19 cents a spritz. It is called Lumetallix. We have tested imposter products and have failed lead screening tests in the field. Our product has not failed us yet.

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If you or someone you know is lead testing or just wants to speak to a trustworthy guy, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did. If you are ready to order some products, use this Lumetallix link or the Amazon Link