TESTING METHOD AND KIT FOR DETECTING LEAD, MERCURY AND CHROMATE IN PAINT, VARNISH AND OTHER SURFACE COATINGS

摘要

A testing kit and method of testing for the presence of lead mercury and chromate in surface coatings is provided that can accurately determine the presence of lead, mercury and chromate in the surface coating without interference from other constituents of the surface coating. The kit includes an alkaline caustic that is utilized to dissolve the coating material to enable any lead or mercury present in the coating material to react with a subsequently added second solution containing sulfide ions, while preventing interference of other ionic species with the interaction of the lead and sulfide. The sulfide ions can then react with the lead or mercury in order to produce a dark color for the resulting solution. The resulting color can then be compared against a color standard to determine the amount of lead or mercury present in the sample. The kit and method also enables a determination for the presence of chromate by dissolving the coating material in the alkaline solution and observing the development of a characteristic pale yellow color.