Electrochemical Detection of Lead and Cadmium in Drinking Waters Using Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes

Kourtney A. Dalzell*, Colby E. Ott and Luis E. Arroyo, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, 1600 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Forensic Chemistry (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Forensic Chemistry 

Exposure to heavy metals such as lead and cadmium from environmental waterways, tap water, and other routes can have significant impacts on human health. The metal poisoning disrupts the functions of major organ systems like the nervous, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. Lead has shown adverse effects on critical organs like the liver and is especially hazardous for children exposed to contaminated sources. A compounded effect is related to discrepancies between national and state regulations about agreed-upon harmful lead concentrations. Current testing methods rely on sensitive instrumentation such as Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS) that can involve lengthy and expensive analysis. Nonetheless, electrochemistry has been utilized for several years in fields like the pharmaceutical industry, forensics, and for environmental applications. The electrochemical screening for heavy metal identification using smart technologies applicable for field detection is proposed in this work. The proposed method utilizes a square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry technique as a quick screening protocol providing a fast, cost-effective, portable, and sensitive approach to detect heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, using unmodified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). A Placket-Burman design was performed to identify contributing parameters followed by response surface methods to optimize the sensitivity and selectivity of the process for the metal compounds. Limits of detection were below 100 parts-per-billion. Precision was assessed by repeatability and reproducibility, which were within an acceptable range. This method provides a viable screening technique for on-site use and holds promise for future analysis of other heavy metals. 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU 497-level course