Exposure to lead (Pb) has long posed serious health risks. Ingestion of lead from skin exposure can adversely impact every organ in the body; the kidneys, blood, nervous, and reproductive systems are most affected. Washing skin with soap and water is not sufficient to remove lead residues. To prevent adverse impacts from Pb exposure, exposed individuals need cleaning methods that will effectively remove Pb ions from the skin to less than the limit of identification (i.e., 10 µg or less).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers developed a method to remove metals such as lead from surfaces, including skin. This method includes applying a cationic surfactant (ISML (isostearamidopropyl morpholine lactate), a compound that lowers surface tension) and a weak acid (such as citric acid) to a surface and wiping the surface with a three-dimensionally textured absorbent support. The cationic surfactant and weak acid are in liquid form or are dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as water. This wetting agent can be applied directly to the surface and wiped away or can be contained within the absorbent support. Research has shown that this method does not damage or irritate the skin.

This technology can be used in conjunction with another CDC NIOSH invention, a handwipe disclosing method (HHS Reference No. E-336-2013) which uses colorimetric chemistry (a color change occurs) to detect lead sampled from surfaces. Combined, these two technologies can “close the loop” by both detecting and decontaminating skin or other surfaces contaminated with lead.