Evaluation of lead concentration on the surface of children's playing equipments using a field portable x-ray fluorescence (FPXRF)

In order to evaluate the possible environmental lead hazard in children's playground and to test the practicability of field portable x-ray fluorescence(FPXRF) for environmental lead measurement, authors investigated lead concentration of lead-based paint on the surface of children's playing equipments in the playground of 13 apartments using FPXRF at the site in city A, Choongnam province. 93 spots were determined surface lead concentrations 3 times each using a FPXRF. Out of 93 spots, 83 spots (92%) were revealed to have lead in paint and mean concentration was $1.12{\pm}1.76mg/cm^2$. The mean concentration of lead on the surface of playing equipments at the apartments near the main street was $1.20mg/cm^2$ and higher than those at the apartments far away from the main street($0.81mg/cm^2$)(p<0.05). The mean concentration of lead on the surface of playing equipments painted with yellow color was $3.23mg/cm^2$ and the highest among all colors, whereas equipment painted white color was non-detectable. PVC and etc materials for construction of playing equipment showed higher surface lead concentration than other materials. The result suggests that it is necessary to be taken caution of the lead exposure in the playground of apartment and it should be taken any kind of confirmative action to prevent unwanted lead exposure from surface lead source of playing equipment. Authors found that FPXRF was very reliable and useful for field measurement to detect lead on the painted surface.

FPXRF를 이용한 어린이 놀이시설의 페인트 표면 납 농도 평가