ASTM E 1979-98 covers standard practice for ultrasonic extraction of paint, dust, soil, and air samples for subsequent determination of lead.

ASTM E 1979-98 covers standard practice for ultrasonic extraction of paint, dust, soil, and air samples for subsequent determination of lead.

• A. Sampling of water for lead.
• B. Ultrasonic extraction of paint, dust, soil, and air samples for lead.
• C. Preparation of paint samples for lab analysis.
• D. On-site spectrophotometric analysis.

Answer: (B)

ASTM E 1979-98 specifically defines how to use ultrasonic energy to extract lead from solid environmental samples—paint, dust, soil, and air filters—in preparation for laboratory determination of lead. The key idea is that many solid matrices trap lead in forms that aren’t readily measurable in their solid form, so the standard provides a reproducible procedure to transfer lead into a liquid extract. This extraction step, done with an ultrasonic bath or probe, helps break up the matrix and release lead into solution, creating a consistent sample for analysis by lab instruments such as atomic spectrometry or ICP methods. It’s about how to prepare these particular matrices for lead measurement, not about sampling water, general paint sample prep without extraction, or performing analysis on-site. That focus is what makes this option the correct description.

ASTM E 1979-98 specifically defines how to use ultrasonic energy to extract lead from solid environmental samples—paint, dust, soil, and air filters—in preparation for laboratory determination of lead. The key idea is that many solid matrices trap lead in forms that aren’t readily measurable in their solid form, so the standard provides a reproducible procedure to transfer lead into a liquid extract. This extraction step, done with an ultrasonic bath or probe, helps break up the matrix and release lead into solution, creating a consistent sample for analysis by lab instruments such as atomic spectrometry or ICP methods. It’s about how to prepare these particular matrices for lead measurement, not about sampling water, general paint sample prep without extraction, or performing analysis on-site. That focus is what makes this option the correct description.