Lead contamination risks from imported candies: Developing a protocol to test for lead in candy products using the X-ray flouresence instrument

The problem of lead in candies imported from Latin America and or Thailand is an important public health issue. These candies come from a number of sources, with lead often being present when tamarind or chili pepper is used as an ingredient. Currently, it is expensive and time consuming for heath protection agencies to test candy that has entered the consumer market in the United States. Hence children may potentially be exposed to lead contamination. If community health agencies had access to XRF technology, health agencies could quickly determine if specific candies contain lead. To date, there has not been a protocol developed using the XRF instrument to test candies. Herein, are details of the newly developed XRF procedure for testing candies and comparing the XRF results against EPA Graphite Furnace results. Additionally a comparison of candy collected from a local Las Vegas middle school against the current California toxic treat index list is provided. Details of a community health lead education program which includes the results of a student candy consumption survey are presented. The protocol explained herein will provide an important resource for both researchers and public health officials collaborating in the effort to protect their communities from exposure to lead contamination.