| The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate chemifluorescent agents (CFA) for the development of a rapid, low-cost, scalable method for the determination of lead clearance following lead hazard abatement. Improved quantification of lead in environmental samples may result in higher rates of screening for lead in housing, thus preventing lead exposure. Childhood exposure to lead at low levels has been correlated to diminished cognitive function and permanent intellectual deficits compared to unexposed children.;CFAs were acquired and evaluated using reference solutions and extracted lead-contaminated house dust. After identifying the best candidate for this application, experiments were carried out to determine potential matrix interference and the performance of the CFA against other methods of lead analysis.;Method development was carried out in two phases: CFA use in solution and the direct application of CFAs on surfaces. An evaluation of the fluorescent response to lead in solution was carried out using standard reference solution, standard reference dust, and house dust. The final phase of the project compared the fluorescent method to alternative methods (FAAS, XRF, and ASV).;The resulting fluorescence method does not perform as well as alternative methods and was not effective with direct application to surfaces. However, this technology holds promise as an analytical method if purification methods can be enhanced to effectively remove sample matrix. |
