Challenges in Using Handheld XRFs for In Situ Estimation of Lead Contamination in Buildings
2022
Roumiana Zaharieva | Yana Kancheva | Kamen Kamenov | Vihren Tomov | Valentina Lyubomirova
Lead in buildings can be found in certain materials such as paints or can be a result of contamination during the use stage. In situ methods for lead identification can be vital for the proper treatment of hazardous CDW (from repair works or selective demolition). A conventional handheld XRF (HHXRF) spectrometer can be used for this purpose, and this study analysed its reliability. A laboratory experiment was conducted to test different calibrations, and to establish a procedure for the conversion of the HHXRF lead concentrations into lead loadings. Model latex paint with a constant lead content was used on two types of surfaces (plasterboard and concrete). A field study was performed to identify and quantify the lead in paint on masonry walls in a public building. ICP-MS analysis was performed in order to verify the lead content. The coefficients of proportionality in the proposed model depend on various parameters: the contamination type, the layer thickness, the substrate, and the built-in calibrations. Despite the limitations of the HHXRF and the discrepancy of the mean lead loadings from the HHXRF and ICP-MS analysis, the HHXRF can be useful for the identification of lead in paint layers up to 1 mm, with a low limit of detection of the order of 0.01 mg/cm2 at worst.
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