Low-cost, Easy-to-use Test for Determining Lead Concentration in Drinking Water - Project Summary
Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high
acidity or low mineral content. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful to human health even at low
exposure levels, and it can bioaccumulate in the body over time. Young children, infants, and fetuses are
particularly vulnerable, and even low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral
nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of
blood cells. Current methods for lead measurement in drinking water require someone to send a water sample
to a laboratory, where bulky instruments are used to evaluate lead concentrations, and the results get back in a
few days. While some colorimetric test strips are available on the market that can be used to measure lead in
homes, they lack the accuracy needed, and the cost of each test strip is >$10, too expensive for people who
want to determine lead levels in their tap water frequently. Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) proposes to
develop a low-cost, simple, and reliable home-use test kit for measuring lead in tap water to better protect families
from lead poisoning. The proposed test kit is based on a highly innovative method of combining aptamers with
nanomaterials, making the kit highly selective and sensitive for lead testing. The test kit will be easy to use;
simply add tap water to the test kit vial and the water will change color according to the concentration of lead in
the water. Each test kit will cost<$2. With the proposed test kit, householders can check their tap water quality
regularly and avoid lead poisoning.
