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Pre-loaded with all the necessary ingredients, this ready-to-use tester eliminates the need for additional water, vinegar, or chemicals. Simply cut the tip of the test swab, and you're all set to start testing immediately. No hassle, no extra preparation needed!
SUITABLE FOR ALL SURFACES
EASY AND CONVENIENT TO USE
Just snap the tip of the swab to activate the liquid inside. The liquid will flow to the white cotton tip, turning light yellow. Then, gently wipe the surface you wish to test for 30 seconds. If lead is present, the tip will change to a pink or purple color, indicating a positive result.
Protect Your Family from Hidden Dangers
30 INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SWABS FOR MAXIMUM FRESHNESS
Kab
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
Known as the ‘universal solvent’ water will dissolve anything it comes in contact with. In the shortest of timeframes, it will dissolve a dirt pile into a mud puddle. Over millennia it will dissolve solid rock, leaving giant caverns with underground lakes and rivers.Water in pipes will dissolve the pipe itself, which can be a problem if the pipes contain lead. Coffee-water can dissolve lead that may be in the ceramic mug. Hot water can dissolve the coatings on the cereal bowls we use to feed our children’s oatmeal. (And children are most at risk because lead can affect their developing brains.) Wine-water has been known to etch lead from the finest crystal vases. And of course, lead paint may have been used in our homes, painted over many times.Copper tube has been a go-to standard for water supply for many years, in part because of copper’s inherent anti-microbial properties. And as a soft metal, it is a good replacement for lead pipes. While the pipe itself is probably pure, the brass fittings (which must be much harder, and may have been used with any type of pipe) have commonly been found to contain lead. I got this kit primarily to test brand new brass fittings for my raised bed garden irrigation system; where the resulting water will be taken up by the plants that feed my family. Following the 3-step instructions on the box, I had my answer instantly. Below the level of detection, and good for use.Just for kicks (and because the kit contains 30 swabs), I tested some of the fittings in my home water system, some ceramic kitchenware, and a car battery post. Results as expected. Quick, easy, and a very efficient way to peace of mind.
B. Morgan
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2025
These swabs don't detect lead at all. I followed directions exactly per box, and tested them on 2 different surfaces with known high lead content that was verified with a professional XRF analyzer, and both swabs remained white/yellow. I waited an additional 30 seconds after the 30 seconds of swabbing to give it enough time to change color. You definitely can't trust these. Top swab in pic was a ceramic bowl being tested, and middle and bottom swabs were the know leaded surfaces. As you can see, aside from the debris coating the swabs, the swabs themselves remained white/yellow
morpheus
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025
The kit doesn't say what chemical is used in the swabs but, because it turns a pink to purple color the chemical is probably sodium rhodizonate, which will indicate lead to as low as 500ppm (parts per million) or about 0.05%.Sodium rhodizonate is effective on surfaces like paint, metal, and ceramics. It is recognized by the EPA for accuracy in detecting lead chromate which is common in colored paints. And, it is safer and more user friendly, with no strong odors.I tested a swab on a terminal of a lead-acid 12 volt car battery and the swab correctly identified lead by turning purple. Another test was to see it a false positive might occur by just activating the swab and seeing what would happen after 10 minutes exposure without using it to wipe something--there was no color change (bottom of swab). A third test was on a ceramic stein (no pics) which had a metal lid. The lid swab did not indicate lead, however both the outside and inside of the ceramics indicated a very faint pink. The stein was sold as being "decorative" and not for use as a liquid vessel.
Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2025
When I first got these, I wasn't sure what to think. Some of mine seemed stained with something in the packaging. However, the stains disappeared when liquid was allowed to move into the cotton tip, and they still performed as the instructions said they would to both positive and negative controls.Since the liquid is yellow and is supposed to turn pink or purple in the presence of lead, I am pretty sure these tests use sodium rhodizonate and not sodium sulfide, which turns grey or black when exposed to lead. These are the two most commonly used lead test indicators, and the color change of pink/purple indicates sodium rhodizonate as the chemical used. Sodium rhodizonate is said to have a lead sensitivity as low as 500ppm and is the same chemical primarily used in the old discontinued 3M lead tests.These were easy to use. 1. Get an individual swab separated from the pack. 2. Tear the plastic wrap in the middle of the wrapper and remove both sides of the wrapper from the swab ends. 3. Snap the pink end to the side while holding the swab's white end down vertically, allowing the liquid to flow into the white end, turning it yellow upon contact. Be sure to allow all the liquid to drain downward into the non-snapped end before swabbing. 4. When swabbing, contact the surface moving the swab around for 30 seconds, while also rotating the swab slowly for maximum exposure, and then watch for a color change.I noticed my swabs went back to a more white color versus the yellow shown on the box when negative, and a pink to very dark purple when positive.I tested a known lead fishing weight for my positive control, and it turned a very dark purple, indicating a high concentration of lead in the pure lead weight. Unleaded soda-lime glass was used for the negative control and resulted in a white/slightly yellow swab end.My tests indicated positive results on the known lead item and negative results on the known safe item. I feel pretty confident using these tests going forward.
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