Details

Testing the Surface

Rub the swab end on the notched area for 30 seconds while gently squeezing the tube. Squeeze tube hard enough to keep surface saturated with amber liquid, but not so hard that an area larger than the notch is covered with the liquid. Observe swab and/or paint surface for characteristic colour. If lead is present, a characteristic pink colour will appear.

If the swab tip and/or test surface turn pink or red, a hazardous level of lead is present, precautions must be taken to avoid harmful effects.

Important Notes

Some forms of lead are less soluble than others; this may delay the development of pink colour by hours. Multiple layers of non-leaded oil-based paint may also hamper the development of colour. To help counter these factors, swab the test surface for a further 30 seconds and again observe the colour right away and after a few hours.

Paint or substrate pigments may also cause a colouring of the swab Repeat the test with another swab to check if colour of swab is due to lead or paint pigment by performing test without breaking the indicator ampule. In this manner, it can be determine if the buffer is causing the colour to be leached out of paint.

iQuip Lead Test Swabs is a screening test for lead and should not be considered quantitative. It detects high levels of leachable lead on a surface.