1. Drinking water & Lead Contamination
Kari Knisely , Austin Atkins , Jeff Cunningham
1 2 3
1. Sligh Middle School; 2. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida 3. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida
Abstract Approach Conclusions
In Madagascar only 47% of the population has access to clean drinking
3 Methods tested After researching the different methods displayed in
water. In the Eastern part of the island, local artisans dig shallow
drinking water wells and install locally manufactured pumps. Lead 1.Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) the table, the ASV has proven to be consistent in its
from old batteries is used for various parts of these pump systems as 2.Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) results while the Colorimetry methods have been very
floats and as solder on the screen in contact with the water. 3.Field Kit - Colorimeter inconsistent.
Preliminary sampling of wells in 2010 and analysis for lead using ICP-
MS at the University of South Florida (USF) indicated that there were
some wells with lead levels above safe limits of 10 ug/L as set by the 7 Concentration Levels made to be tested The Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), clearly is the
World Health Organization. Through the Master’s International •1 mg/L best and most reliable method for accurate readings of
program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at USF, our team •150 μg/L lead contaminations less than 100 μg/L. It is unclear at
currently has a member on the ground in Madagascar who wishes to •100 μg/L this time, what method is most accurate and
test these levels in the field. This research compared the effectiveness •50 μg/L recommended for concentration levels over 100 μg/L,
of different analytical methods to measure the level of lead •10 μg/L but will continue to be researched. The ASV is
contamination in drinking water. The mobile/portable analytical
methods include Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) and Colorimetry
•5 μg/L lightweight, easy to use, and does not require
with various reagents for color development. Analysis via lab based •1 μg/L electricity as well as fairly accurate when used to test
methods like the Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy the lead levels in the standards.
(GFAAS) were used to compare with the field based kits. The results
from this work will be used to identify the most suitable method of
analysis for field measurements of lead in drinking water in
Results At this time, it will be recommended that USF select
the ASV as the measurement method to be used in the
Madagascar.  The AA requires electricity, gas, and is not a mobile method
field in Madagascar to measure the lead concentration
 The ASV was extremely self explanatory, accurate, the fastest
Background method, lightweight and mobile requiring 4 AA batteries
levels in the drinking water supplies.
While traveling to Madagascar, USF identified a major
 The Colorimeter was not consistent in its readings, the chemical
health risk for the residents of the under developed testing process was extremely complicated and time consuming, but
third world country. The most common source was very lightweight and mobile requiring batteries.
currently used in most villages to retrieve drinking
water is being made out of melted lead. The
assumption is that the level of lead found in their
drinking water pumped from these units contain an
The table below demonstrates the readings each method displayed each
time it was tested. The closer to the standard the more accurate the References
unhealthy concentration of lead posing even more
test.
Standard Method 1 Method 2 Method 3 Method 3  All photos taken from google images or personal
serious health risks to the country already struggling Levels AA ASV Field Kit- Colorimeter Field Kit – Colorimeter camera
to survive many water borne illnesses. USF is seeking w/ HACH Chemicals w/ Leadquick Chemicals
to identify which method would be most efficient yet
1 mg/L TBA Not in range Not attempted Not attempted
effective to use in the field where electricity is usually
not available. 150 μg/L TBA Not in range 123 100, 55, 75
100 μg/L TBA 95 Not attempted 63, 55, 43
Objective 50 μg/L
10 μg/L
TBA
TBA
44, 42, 49, 44 30
7, 3 Not attempted
34, 29, 32
<3, <3, <3
To compare results given by 3 different methods on the 7 different lead
concentration levels in drinking water and conclude which method is 5 μg/L TBA 6, 5 Not attempted <3, <3, <3
most effective to be used in the field in Madagascar. 2 μg/L TBA 14, 20 Not attempted Not attempted
0 μg/L TBA 48, 14 Not attempted <3, <3, <3
For more information about the program visit: http://wareret.net. The Water Awareness Research and Education (WARE) Research Experience for Teachers (RET) is funded by the National Science Foundation under award number 1200682.