This page lists suppliers known by the LEAPP Alliance. This does not imply any endorsement or recommendation.
Paint Tests
3M LeadCheck
Look for product 225-2404 (8 pack) or 225-2404A (16 pack). It can be cheaper to buy from the USA on Amazon or eBay even including shipping.
Paint and Dust Analysis
Water Testing
An independent UK water quality testing provider and trading company of Artemis Analytical.
Metal Testing
R-Tech Materials is a global provider of expertise in materials.
Blood Tests
You can try your GP, but they may not know about lead toxicity and not want to send you for a test.
Private blood tests. Add the cost of a phlebotomist to their prices. About £30 extra.
Accurate blood self-sampling at a location of your choice including at home. Can be used to collect samples for analysis for lead content.
Lead Pipe Replacement
Water Controls
Alternatives
Dust wipe sampling
This video demonstrates collecting dust samples for analysis in a laboratory. One extra note – make sure your masking tape is really clean before marking out your sampling rectangle. This demonstration follows the Lead Dust Sampling Technician Field Guide from the EPA. Click on the EPA logo below to see the guide.
Paint testing
In this demonstration, I use 3M LeadCheck swabs because I believe they are the most reliable. There are some other products (like this), but it has been reported that these can give false positives on other metals. because they do not control pH properly. I have seen this on copper. The sensitivity of LeadCheck swabs is such that a colour change can indicate yes, or maybe.. This is because the swabs will detect lead in concentrations above 5000ppm if there is sufficient material to test, but may detect lead above 600ppm in ideal conditions. So we can say that no colour change means a concentration of below 5000ppm and colour change shows a concentration of above 600ppm – there is an overlap. The WHO definition of lead paint is now greater than 90ppm.
The video shows you how I get several tests out of one swab. This is, of course, not an approved method, but seems to work well enough. The important thing is to test the last swab on the test card provided to show the test is working. Otherwise, just follow the instructions that come in the LeadCheck pack.
From 2023 3M LeadCheck swabs are not longer manufactured. Alternatives for instant lead detection are Scitus and Lumetallix. Scitus swabs are activated with white vinegar. Lumetallix lights up lead with ultraviolet light.
Blood Testing
I was given a blood sample collection kit to try by John Dinan of Capitainer. This video shows how I got on. At first I found it difficult to get enough blood out of my finger, but with further instruction from John I found this quite easy. The key was to stand up and really press blood into the finger.