SEDL / STP / STP1226-EB / STP12984S

Preparation and Evaluation of Lead-Contaminated Dust Method Evaluation Materials

Binstock, DA
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Estes, ED
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Neefus, JD
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Williams, EE
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Gutknecht, WF
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Harper, SL
Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Beard, ME
Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1995

Download this paper for $25 PDF (128K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

A greater understanding of the health effects associated with exposure to environmental lead has resulted in an increased emphasis on risk assessment and abatement programs by Federal, state, and local governmental agencies. As programs for sampling and analysis of lead grow, and an environmental lead laboratory accreditation program begins, the need for method evaluation materials (MEMs) for lead in dust has become critical. To meet this need, distinct dust MEMs were prepared from dusts collected from private and commercial dwellings, from paint-abatement sites and from street sweepings. Processing included sterilization, sieving, mixing and finally further sieving to remove fine debris such as hair. The bulk materials prepared were analyzed to confirm homogeneity. Portions of these bulk materials were also loaded onto wipes to be used as dust wipe method evaluation materials. Through both a round-robin evaluation, and use in the American Industrial Hygiene Association Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) program, the bulk dust materials were found to be acceptably homogeneous (i.e., precision better than 10%).