Home lead test kits often fail, fed study shows

Following reports of excessive lead in children's and pets' toys, parents are likely to turn to lead test kits that they can use at home.  But the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says these tests aren’t reliable. The CPSC today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. Many of the tests did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. “Based on the study, consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards,” the CPSC said.