Grantee Research Project Results
Improved Technology for Measuring Lead Detection in Lead-Based Paint Phase II
EPA Contract Number: 68D30069Title: Improved Technology for Measuring Lead Detection in Lead-Based Paint Phase II
Investigators: Parsons, Charles G.
Small Business: Niton Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1993 through March 1, 1995
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1993) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Lead paint is a primary source of lead poisoning, particularly in children. A central problem to a more vigorous attack on finding lead-paint surfaces is the lack of an inexpensive, portable method for measuring levels of lead in concentrations as least as low as 1 mg per cm2. In Phase I, Niton Corporation proposed to show the L x-ray lines of lead rather then K x-rays could be used to measure lead concentrations buried beneath many layers of non-lead paint. They further proposed to develop a portable, high-resolution detector of L x-rays of lead. They have surpassed all of the goals of Phase I. They have proved that L x-ray fluorescence can quickly measure lead concentrations to well below 1 mg/cm2, even when the lead is covered by many layers of paint of unknown thickness and composition. Niton Corporation has built a laboratory prototype of a small, portable unit, with excellent energy resolution and spectrum analysis, that demonstrates the effectiveness of the method. The response from lead inspection professionals has been very positive. It is the primary purpose of Phase II to develop the technique further with the specific aims of dramatically reducing the costs of the instrument. The commercial potential for such an instrument is extremely high.Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Sustainable Industry/Business, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Sustainable Environment, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Engineering, sensitive populations, paint removal, L x-ray fluorescence, cleaner production, adolescents, lead, detect, exposure, children, portable detection system, measurement, pollution prevention, lead based paint, environmental hazard exposuresProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.