Development of a 3d Paper-Based Device for the Qualitative Analysis of Lead in Waste Water
M.B.P. Wickramaratne, Migelhewa N. Kaumal

Abstract
The widespread use of lead in the past, especially in plumbing, has resulted in the contamination of drinking water.Exposure to lead can cause severe damage to the central nervous system especially of children. The current methods for detecting lead are expensive and time consuming. This paper reports a portable, onsite and simple 3D paper-based device that can be used for the qualitative detection of lead in waste water. Proposed tool is a folding device composed of paper wells and hydrophobic regions which were created using polyurethane varnish. This portable tool is based on a rapid colorimetric reaction which occurs between lead(II) ions and rhodizonic acid. Water samples can be tested for the presence of lead by directly introducing 20.00 μl of sample on to the device. Development of the characteristic red color is used to determine the presence of lead in concentrations greater than 4 ppm in water.

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