Detection of lead in paint samples synthesized locally using-laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

A laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) setup was developed to detect lead and other toxic contaminants such as chromium in paint emulsion samples manufactured in Saudi Arabia. The lead concentration detected in these samples was in the 327.2-755.3 ppm range, which is much higher than the safe permissible limit set by Saudi regulatory agencies. Similarly, chromium concentration (98.1-149.5 ppm) was found in high concentrations as well. The results obtained with our LIBS setup are comparable with the sample analysis utilizing a standard technique such as ICP, and our LIBS results are comparable to ICP with in an accuracy limit of 2-4 %.