The Lead Detective - Technical Product Information Sheet

The Lead Detective™ is a kit for detecting lead in paint. A solution is applied to painted surfaces or paint chips and a color change occurs. The average consumer can use the kit without supervision. It is a screening test, if lead is

Packaged in a black opaque plastic box 7"x5"x1.875" with a two color silver mylar label. The kit includes two 15 mL bottles, one with a measured sodium sulfide compound and the other a water solution. The kit also contains useful tools including disposable gloves, a three power magnifying glass, chemically resistant forceps (tweezers), razor blades, and an applicator tip for the test solution. An extensive 36 page manual is provided with instruction on testing, information on lead poisoning and exposure, guidelines on removing lead from a home, a discussion on lead and the law, and a list of reference materials and resource information. Included with the kit is a sample of leaded paint so that the user can see how the test works. All components of the kit are provided in attractive cut black foam packaging.

The water solution is added to the sulfide compound to produce 15 mL of testing solution of the correct concentration. After dissolution (ca. 4 minutes), this solution will provide approximately 100 tests, enough to screen the average home. Solution is dropped onto a paint chip or a painted surface and if the paint contains lead (down to 1% by weight) a black color change is observed. Tools are provided to examine the chip (the magnifier), make a cut in the surface (the razor blades), hold the paint chip (forceps), and apply the solution (gloves and applicator tip).

This test is based on the test mandated by Massachusetts state statute. The technology has been recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency on a national level. It is the same test a state inspector would use when inspecting a home. The only other approved testing procedure, at this time, involves the use of a X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

Lead use for interior paint was banned by the federal government in 1978. However, it is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that 22 million homes in the USA are severely lead paint contaminated, with an additional 25 million homes containing some lead paint. This is out of a housing stock of approximately 110 million homes. In the past lead paint has been used at levels of from 20 to 50% by weight and served to make the paint wear better mechanically. It has been used on the interior and exterior of homes, furniture, old toys, and many other surfaces.

Target marketing groups include young families with children, those expecting to have children, rehabers, people involved in a property transfer such as the buying or selling of a home, and home inspectors. Lead poisoning was once a disease of the poor or the occupationally exposed. Now with urban renewal and gentrification it has become a disease of middle and upper class families as well.

Based on current information we believe the market for a lead paint detection kit to be widely dispersed throughout the entire USA. Certain areas have very high percentages of homes that fall in this category. Urban metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington / Baltimore, New Orleans, Denver, San Francisco / East Bay, and Seattle with older housing stock are known to be prime locations. Rural areas also fit the profile. For perspective, radon test kits currently being sold address a market that is 3 to 8 times smaller.

Certain states and cities have model lead laws that may soon be adopted federally. Massachusetts law currently penalizes home owners for homes with lead paint. Both fines and criminal penalties are mandated for failure to delead. Disclosure is required upon property transfer and a bank may withhold mortgage money from a home deemed to be hazard. To encourage deleading a tax credit is given for lead abatement.

Lead poisoning is a difficult disease to diagnose. There are currently two million children in the US that are lead poisoned, most (about 75%) are poisoned by lead paint. Lead paint is consumed either through pica (eating), or through dust. Children can be born with high levels of lead from their mother. Lead poisoning can lead to reduced IQ, fatigue, irritability, growth disturbance or in severe cases mental retardation or death. Screening is by blood test normally done for children under 3 years old. Therapy is by a series of chelation injections.

Sodium Sulfide is a slight poison and mild irritant. The kit contains an amount of compound well under the lethal dose for people in the event of consumption. There are no incidents of poisoning on file at the poison control centers we contacted for this chemical other than bulk industrial exposure. Lead sulfide formed in the test is poisonous, as is the leaded paint chip supplied. Warnings regarding these dangers are located on the box label, in the manual, on the bottle label, and on the label containing the leaded paint chip. We recommend storage under 100deg F, and no exposure to acid. Shelf life of the product is generally over 1 year. Once the solution is made up by the consumer it has a 4-6 week useful lifetime.

The recommended retail price for The Lead Detective™ is $29.95. It is available in cases of 12 or as individual units. For an individual sale please add $4.50 shipping. We give quantity discounts. Freight is FOB from the factory. The net weight for an individual piece is 14.2 ounces, and for packages of 12 is 7.94 pounds. The US Post Office has given its approval for this kit to be shipped by mail.

For further information or to order The Lead Detective™ write:

Innovative Synthesis Corp.
2143 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton, MA 02166
Call: (617)965-5653
Fax: (866)583-7735
or email: mfrancis@theleaddetective.com

or purchase online at Healthgoods.