Lead in drinking water: A new simplified method of analysis using HG/GC/PID #ACSPhilly

Accepted for presentation at #ACSPhilly 2016 ABSTRACT SYMPOSIUM NAME: Advances in Analytical Separations-Oral

ABSTRACT SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM AREA NAME: ANYL

PRESENTATION TYPE: Oral

TITLE: Lead in drinking water: A new simplified method of analysis using HG/GC/PID

AUTHORS (FIRST NAME, LAST NAME): John N. Driscoll2, Jennifer L. Maclachlan1

INSTITUTIONS (ALL): 1. PID Analyzers, LLC, Centerville, MA, United States. 2. PID Analyzers, LLC, Sandwich, MA, United States.

ABSTRACT BODY:Abstract: Flint Michigan problems with lead contaminated drinking water turned into an emergency situation recently when elevated blood lead tests in children increased from 2.5 percent to 6.3 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. Apparently, lead in drinking water is not just a Flint Michigan problem since recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data showed about 350 schools and day-care centers failed lead tests a total of about 470 times from 2012 through 2015. This is a country wide problem.We reported on a new method for lead analysis using HG/GC/PID at the ACS meeting in San Francisco in 2014. We have modified that method to simplify and reduce the cost of the equipment so that it could be used in water treatment plants to meet the EPA standard of 15 ppb and and prevent high levels of lead from entering the town or city drinking water supply. We will describe the detection limits, accuracy and precision for this new method.