Hand-held lead analyzer

The design and operation of a hand-held electrochemical analyzer for field screening of trace lead are described. The stripping-based instrument meets the size, weight and power-consumption requirements of many decentralized lead testings, while maintaining the high sensitivity and reliability of centralized stripping operations. When coupled to screen-printed disposable sensors, the unit’s response varies linearly with the lead level between 20 and 300 μg/l (50-s deposition). Comparison with lead results obtained with the small and established instruments yielded an excellent correlation (r=0.999). Convenient quantification of lead in drinking water is accomplished with quiescent, nondeaerated small samples. Such performance and portability hold great promise to a host of environmental, clinical, or industrial applications.