When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. I Went Down a Lead-Testing Rabbit Hole. Hereâs What You Need to Know About Home Tests.
Published December 11, 2024
Alexander Aciman is an editor who has written about pasta-making, running gear, and Wirecutter picks he has spotted on TV shows.
Youâve probably heard about potential lead contamination in tumblers, drinking water, chocolate, packaged lunches, and even baby food. The cause for concern is justified: Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and thereâs no safe level to ingest. The metal is particularly harmful to childhood development.
The good news is that in the United States, lead can no longer be added to many common products, and instances of lead poisoning among children have declined significantly over the past several decades.
Yet lead still persists on stuff we come into contact with every day, like old paint, dishes, and water pipes. Lead can also show up in food products and cosmetics via contamination, as well as in cheap imported goods from countries with fewer regulations.
Unfortunately, if you are curious or concerned about lead being in something you own, most home-testing options are limited. Testsâeven those recognized by the Environmental Protection Agencyâhave been difficult to use, prone to user error, and expensive per test.
But what if an instant, easy-to-use, precise, and readily available test existed, one that allowed users to conduct literally hundreds of tests at a much lower cost than traditional methods?
I had this question until I came upon a method that produces a neon-green glow when the metal is present. (You also may have seen lead-safety influencers popping up on your social media feeds promoting different ways of testing at home.) One such method is Lumetallix, which is sold as a simple kit, comprising a spray or droplet bottle and a UV flashlight. Just spritz or drop some testing liquid onto a surface, and then pass a UV light over it. If the surface glows neon green, then the surface contains lead.
Before you start scanning your vintage glassware and chipping paint, however, there are a few important things to remember about this method; they will help you test strategically, to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/home-lead-test-review/
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