Testing* for Lead in Jewelry
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Jewelry Background: It has recently been reported that lead in high amounts can be present in inexpensive jewelry, much of it designed for children. In the summer of 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 150 million pieces of toy jewelry sold in vending machines between 2002 and 2004 because of dangerous lead levels. This same lead containing jewelry is available in many retail stores. It has long been known that lead is toxic and can cause serious health problems especially in children. Excessive amounts of lead in the bloodstream can cause neurological damage, loss of I.Q. points and even brain damage. Some jewelry contains a lead core coated with a thin coat of another material (usually nickel). In addition some of these pieces are decorated with brightly colored lead containing enamel, pigments and glazes. Some ornaments are attached to the main piece of jewelry with lead containing solder. Touching lead containing bracelets, a pretty pin, and a pair of earrings or playing with a necklace can be dangerous. More lead enters the blood stream when children put their hands, or sometimes the jewelry itself, in their mouths. Just by looking at a piece of jewelry, it is not possible to tell whether it is lead containing. Many jewelry pieces have a lead core and a thin layer of another material on the surface. The outer layer may wear away with time exposing the inner leaded core. However, the jewelry can be tested with LeadCheck® Swabs. A LeadCheck® Swabs kit provides a simple, inexpensive, easy to use test for the presence of lead. Method I: Testing Enamels and Glazes on Jewelry. Some jewelry is brightly colored and the pigments, enamels and glazes used to decorate the piece may contain lead. To test for this, use the following protocol. Be sure to scratch through any surface coating that may have been applied before testing. Activate a LeadCheck® Swab according to the instructions supplied with the kit. Immediately rub the activated swab over the exposed inner area while squeezing the liquid out of the swab. Rub the swab tip vigorously over the test area for about 30 seconds. Examine the Swab tip and or the surface of the jewelry test piece for any pink color. Method II: Testing Metal Parts Including Clasps and Soldered Areas Many jewelry pieces have a lead core and a thin layer of another material on the surface. To detect the lead it is necessary to cut through the outer layer at an inconspicuous place so that the leaded inner layer is available. Be sure to test a solder connection with the same method. Be sure to scratch through any surface coating that may have been applied and expose the core before testing. Activate a LeadCheck® Swab according to the instructions supplied with the kit. Immediately rub the activated swab over the exposed inner area while squeezing the liquid out of the swab. Rub the swab tip vigorously over the test area for about 30 seconds. Examine the Swab tip and or the surface of the jewelry test piece for any pink color. Interpretation of results: If an unmistakably pink color appears on the swab or the test piece lead is present. Any pink indicates the presence of lead. The intensity of the color indicates whether the level is high or low. If no pink color appears on the swab or the test piece then hazardous levels of lead are not present. The piece of jewelry will not leach lead onto hands, wrists or necks. *LeadCheck® Swabs are a versatile and sensitive screening tool for the detection of lead on any surface. This applications note provides a suggested method to allow testing for a specific application. Additional information and help are available by calling 800-262-5323 or 508-651-7881