Which analytical techniques are commonly employed for lead determination in wipe sampling?

Which analytical techniques are commonly employed for lead determination in wipe sampling?

• A. Mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy
• B. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
• C. ICP-MS or AAS
• D. X-ray diffraction and UV spectroscopy

Answer: (C)

Determining lead in wipe samples relies on turning the collected material into a solution and measuring the metal with a technique designed for metals. ICP-MS and AAS are the standard tools for this because they quantify elemental lead with high sensitivity and accuracy after the wipe is digested in acid. ICP-MS offers very low detection limits and can measure many elements simultaneously, which is especially useful in environmental monitoring. AAS is robust and widely available; graphite furnace AAS can detect trace levels of lead, while flame AAS handles higher concentrations. This approach directly targets the metal itself, which is essential for accurate lead quantitation in wipe extracts. The other techniques listed aren’t used for this purpose because they aren’t suited to metal quantification in wipe extracts. Mass spectrometry paired with infrared spectroscopy focuses on molecular structure and composition rather than elemental metal concentrations. Gas chromatography targets volatile organic compounds, not metals. X-ray diffraction identifies crystal structures and phase information rather than metal concentrations in a solution, and UV spectroscopy generally lacks the specificity and sensitivity needed for trace lead in wipe extracts unless specialized complexation steps are used, which is not the typical workflow.

Determining lead in wipe samples relies on turning the collected material into a solution and measuring the metal with a technique designed for metals. ICP-MS and AAS are the standard tools for this because they quantify elemental lead with high sensitivity and accuracy after the wipe is digested in acid. ICP-MS offers very low detection limits and can measure many elements simultaneously, which is especially useful in environmental monitoring. AAS is robust and widely available; graphite furnace AAS can detect trace levels of lead, while flame AAS handles higher concentrations. This approach directly targets the metal itself, which is essential for accurate lead quantitation in wipe extracts.

The other techniques listed aren’t used for this purpose because they aren’t suited to metal quantification in wipe extracts. Mass spectrometry paired with infrared spectroscopy focuses on molecular structure and composition rather than elemental metal concentrations. Gas chromatography targets volatile organic compounds, not metals. X-ray diffraction identifies crystal structures and phase information rather than metal concentrations in a solution, and UV spectroscopy generally lacks the specificity and sensitivity needed for trace lead in wipe extracts unless specialized complexation steps are used, which is not the typical workflow.