Method and Kit for Detecting Lead in a Solid Sample

Abstract

A method and kit for detecting the presence of lead in a solid sample is disclosed. The solid sample is brought into contact with a nonaqueous solution of a dithiocarbamate or quinoline capable of forming a gel upon contact with lead, with the formation of a gel showing that lead is present in the solid sample.

1 . A kit for determining a presence or absence of lead in a solid sample comprising:
 (a) a solution comprising:
 (i) a compound capable of forming a gel upon contact with lead, and 
 (ii) a nonaqueous solvent; 
   (b) an optional transparent container for the solution; and   (c) an optional insert comprising instructions for use of the kit,   wherein the compound has a structure   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein n is an integer 1 or 2; m is an integer 1 or 2; and Y is an element selected from Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table. 
       
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  comprising a transparent container. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the container has a sealable-resealable cap. 
     
     
         4 . A kit for determining the presence or absence of lead in a solid sample comprising:
 (a) a compound capable of forming a gel upon contact with lead; and   (b) an insert comprising instructions for use of the dithiocarbamate to determine the presence of absence of lead in the sample   wherein the compound has a structure   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein n is an integer 1 or 2; m is an integer 1 or 2; and Y is an element selected from Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table. 
       
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein the compound is provided as a solid. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein the compound is provided as a nonaqueous solution. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the nonaqueous solvent comprises an alcohol, an ester, a glycol, a glycol ether, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, a chlorinated solvent, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the nonaqueous solvent comprises a C 1-6  alcohol, a monoC 1-4 alkyl ether of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, isophorone, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, 2-methoxyethanol, DMF, DMSO, THF, acetonitrile, kerosene, mineral spirits, xylene, toluene, turpentine, paint thinner, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein the nonaqueous solvent further comprises up to 50%, by volume, water. 
     
     
         10 . A method of determining a presence or absence of lead in a solid sample comprising:
 (a) providing a nonaqueous solution of a compound capable of forming a gel upon contact with lead;   (b) providing a test amount of a solid sample of interest;   (c) contacting the nonaqueous solution of (a) with the solid sample test amount of (b) and observing the resulting mixture for the formation of a gel,   wherein the compound has a structure   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein n is an integer 1 or 2; m is an integer 1 or 2; and Y is an element selected from Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table. 
       
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  performed at a temperature of 20° C. to 50° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  performed at a temperature of greater than 20° C. to 30° C. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the nonaqueous solvent further comprises up to 50%, by volume, water. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the solid sample contains 200 ppm or more of lead.