Evaluation of wipe sampling materials for lead in surface dust

The suitability of several commercially available wipe sampling materials for the determination of lead in dust on solid surfaces was evaluated. Criteria for the selection of wipe materials appropriate for field use and subsequent laboratory analysis were identified. These included (a) uniform background lead levels in the materials (preferably < 5 micrograms); (b) ease of digestion in nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid/perchloric acid leachate; (c) > or = 80% recoveries of lead from standard reference material spikes; and (d) ease of use in the field. Other candidate wipe materials that were not examined in this study can be evaluated in a similar manner.