Methods and kits for rapid, colormetric beryllium detection
Disclosed herein are methods and kits employing a colorimetric test wherein the presence of beryllium is indicated by a visible color change. Advantageously, according to embodiments, when the dye containing substrate contacts beryllium, the color change occurs almost instantly, allowing for rapid, near-real-time detection of beryllium without the use of complex instrumentation.
1 . A method for rapidly detecting beryllium, the method comprising:
providing a substrate saturated with a dye solution including at least one of Chrome Azurol S (CAS) or Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR) to form a saturated substrate;
contacting an aqueous solution suspected of containing beryllium with the saturated substrate, wherein the saturated substrate is dry prior to contact with the aqueous solution; and
detecting a visible color change on the saturated substrate following contact with the aqueous solution on a condition that beryllium is present in the aqueous solution at a concentration above a lower limit of detection of 002 microgram, the visible color change occurring in less than about 1 minute.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining numerical values descriptive of the color change via a colorimeter; and
quantifying an amount of beryllium detected based at least in part on the numerical values.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the substrate is at least one of a cotton swatch, a filter paper, a filter felt, a cotton swab, a quilted cotton square or a fabric.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
storing the dried substrate for greater than 10 days prior to contacting the aqueous solution.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the dye solution includes at least one of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or Gum Arabic.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein:
the dye solution includes at least one of a surfactant or a buffer.
7 . A method for rapidly detecting beryllium, the method comprising:
providing a substrate saturated with a dye solution including at least one of Chrome Azurol S (CAS) or Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR) to form a saturated substrate;
wiping a solid surface suspected of containing beryllium thereon with the saturated substrate, wherein the saturated substrate is dry prior to the wiping of the solid surface; and
spraying the saturated substrate, following the wiping, with at least one of water, a dilute acid solution or an ammonium bifluoride solution to dissolve the beryllium and obtain a visible color change on the saturated substrate in less than about 1 minute on a condition that beryllium is present at a concentration above a lower limit of detection of 0.002 microgram.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining numerical values descriptive of the color change via a colorimeter; and
quantifying an amount of beryllium present based at least in part on the numerical values.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the substrate is at least one of a cotton swatch, a filter paper, a filter felt, a cotton swab, a quilted cotton square or a fabric.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the substrate has been stored for greater than 10 days prior to the wiping.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the dye solution includes ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Gum Arabic.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the dye solution includes at least one of a surfactant or a buffer.
13 . A kit configured to rapidly detect beryllium, the kit comprising:
a dye solution including at least one of Chrome Azurol S (CAS) or Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR), the dye solution configured to provide a visible color change in less than about 1 minute in the presence of beryllium at a concentration of at least 0.002 microgram; and
a substrate configured to receive a portion of the dye solution to form a saturated substrate, the saturated substrate being configured to, when dry, contact a target location suspected of containing beryllium to place the dye solution in contact with the suspected beryllium.
14 . The kit of claim 13 , further comprising:
a colorimeter configured to quantify an amount of beryllium present via numerical values for the color change.
15 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein:
the substrate is at least one of a cotton swatch, a filter paper, a filter felt, a cotton swab, a quilted cotton square or a fabric.
16 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein:
the saturated substrate is dried; and
the dried saturated substrate is configured to be stored for at least 10 days prior to use.
17 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein:
the dye solution includes ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Gum Arabic.
18 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein:
the dye solution includes at least one of a surfactant or a buffer.