Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Optimization Of Simple And Inexpensive Paper-Based Assay For Lead, Kyla Dewittie, Sagar S. Patel

Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts and Research Projects (SCARP)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines state that lead is a toxic metal that humans should not be exposed to in any amount. Due to corrosion of water pipes, lead can enter drinking water and be consumed by millions of people. As a group, we decided to reduce this issue by creating a simple and inexpensive paper-based test to detect lead(II) in water. The signal for this test results from encapsulating a phenanthroline-based probe in synthesized polymer nanoparticles. This test will display a colorimetric change, turning from yellow to bright orange if lead(II) is present in the water system. In …