WSGH5

SUBJECT:    Lead Ban Enforcement

SOURCE:     Peter Lassovszky
Is it appropriate for state and/or local governments to use commercially available lead-in-solder
spot-testing kits for lead ban enforcement purposes?

       Response:

       Yes.  Commercial lead-in-solder testing kits will indicate the presence or absence of lead
       within solder.  (If knowledge of the exact concentration is needed, more extensive
       laboratory testing is necessary).  Lead solders contain approximately 30 percent to 50
       percent lead — usually 50 percent lead.  The test-kits are sensitive to lead concentrations
       within the above range, and thus will detect the use of lead/tin solder and other lead
       solders.

       Spot-testing kits will not produce a positive result at solder lead concentrations of less
       than 0.2 percent (the lead ban "lead free" level).  Such kits, however, should not be used
       as production quality control mechanisms for ensuring that any particular "lead free"
       solder actually contains less than 0.2 percent lead.   More sophisticated laboratory
       techniques are needed for quality control purposes.

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