Request: How can I test jewelry components for lead content?
How can I test plated or unplated metal components for lead content? The components I have are all kinds of metal washers, nuts, gears, wires, etc.
I know there are at-home lead testers available, but they are not really made for testing metal components. I have over 50 different samples to test, so the $4 swabs are too expensive.
4
answers
|
Answer it!
|
You're not likely to find lead in washers, nuts, gears or wire. Do you have anything that you think might have lead in it?
L
L
Nov 23, 2009. 9:30 PMjtobako
says:
California and now Federal law limits the amount of lead in jewelry, especially and in particular for stuff made for children.
I don't know if the lead in leaded (or free machining) brass leaches out, and some Minnesotan indians have gotten lead poisoning from wire insulation-but they were stripping large amounts for recycling using their teeth... Recycled wire could easily have lead solder on it. Pot metal gears could contain any number of metals.
I don't know if the lead in leaded (or free machining) brass leaches out, and some Minnesotan indians have gotten lead poisoning from wire insulation-but they were stripping large amounts for recycling using their teeth... Recycled wire could easily have lead solder on it. Pot metal gears could contain any number of metals.
Nov 23, 2009. 11:32 AMRo]x[as
says:
I don't know how easy it is for you to get a hold of, but most of the lead test kits I've seen use Sodium sulphide. Lead (II) cations and the sulphide anions react to form the insoluble Lead sulphide which is a distinctive brown solid. If you only need to test qualitatively for the presence of lead on the surface of an object, a cotton swap dipped in distilled water wiped across the surface should turn brown when sodium sulphide solution is dropped onto it. Potassium iodide might work too; it makes a distinctive yellow precipitate with lead, but it would be much less sensitive. If you actually want to test the metal's lead content, you'd have to dissolve some of it with an acid.
Beyond that, you're looking at a significant expense for testing. I think how they typically do lead testing analytically is with a lead ion-selective electrode, or perhaps some sort of complexometric titration, but that's beyond the average persons capabilities.
As lemonie points out, you don't usually find lead in small metal parts, is there some reason you suspect lead contamination?
Beyond that, you're looking at a significant expense for testing. I think how they typically do lead testing analytically is with a lead ion-selective electrode, or perhaps some sort of complexometric titration, but that's beyond the average persons capabilities.
As lemonie points out, you don't usually find lead in small metal parts, is there some reason you suspect lead contamination?
 |
