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What Is Xrf Testing?

Parents often worry about their home's chemical environment and how it can affect the development of their children. For instance, research shows that lead in homes leads to learning disabilities.

  1. What is XRF?

    • A lab performs an X-ray fluorescence, or XRF, test to detect for lead, arsenic and heavy metals in collected samples. According to Lead Pro.com, each sample tested costs $20, as of December, 2010. The cost can add up when multiple items in a home need testing. In addition, items tested such walls or doors, might end up with damage because of the sample being extracted.

    How to Get Your Home XRF Tested

    • Grey Environmental states that XRF testing adheres to strict protocols and quality assurance measures, so professionals usually perform the testing. Hire an inspector to test your home for heavy metaIs. All inspectors use HUD guidelines for XRF testing.

    How is XRF Testing Performed?

    • Inspectors take various samples from the home in order to do XRF testing for lead, arsenic and other heavy metals. The samples could add up quickly, sometimes in the hundreds. Possible sampling areas include walls, windows and doors. A complete inspection includes XRF samples of every room in the house. Leadpro states that the testing will take from two to four hours to complete and could cost as much as $400, as December 2010. Having a home free of lead, arsenic and other heavy metals might be worth the cost.

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