Methods and kits for rapid, colormetric beryllium detection
AssigneeConsolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
InventorsMelissa Ensor Freiderich, Jesse D. Bush, Courtney R. Huntley
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Abstract
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.
Claims18
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.