In today's world, new studies, regulations, the media and litigation have changed the expectations of our environmental health services. Our communities are requesting quick, and affordable ways to find out if they have an environmental issue like lead paint, mold, asbestos or an EBL child. Recently, new test kits have become available that test for lead in saliva. Gonzalez et al. 1997 suggest that saliva is a good lead monitoring medium as their measured levels correlated to recent exposure in Mexico City. Timchalk et al. at Pacific Northwest Laboratory showed in 2006 that there is a strong correlation in lead in saliva vs. plasma (r2=0.922) in lead acetate dosed rats. The Saliva Lead Test uses citric acid to induce salivation, allowing for a consistent measurement.
The filter paper strips, which hold a known volume of saliva, are digested in 20% HNO3 and the resulting solution is filtered and run on ICP-MS. ICP-MS has a detection limit less than 0.1 ppb for lead, whereas GFAAS has a detection limit of 2 ppb. ICP-MS also has a low chance of interference.
As budgets are cut and departments become even smaller in numbers, it is even more important to find efficient, affordable ways to find out if environmental issues like lead, mold and asbestos are present. Recently, new tools and test kits have become available that allow anyone to become an "environmental professional in a box." These test kits are not just screening kits, but are certified and legally defensible. Find out how you can best leverage these new tools to protect your community and stay in compliance with many local and federal regulations.
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