Use Indigo® lead acetate paper to detect hydrogen sulfide leaks in wastewater, sewers, and biogas systems, a simple, rapid, and reliable field test.
Lead acetate test paper offers a fast and inexpensive way to detect hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leaks in wastewater treatment, biogas production, and sewer systems. Even trace H2S levels can corrode equipment and create serious health hazards. When exposed to H2S, the paper darkens as lead sulfide forms, allowing visual identification of gas leaks or anaerobic activity points.
| Objective | Recommended Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Leak pinpointing | Hold strip near joints, seals, or vents to locate odorless or early-stage H2S emissions. |
| System monitoring | Use periodically during digester startup or wastewater aeration shutdowns. |
| Personal safety | Always conduct testing in ventilated areas; use respirators if H2S odor is evident. |
| Data recording | Photograph darkened strips to document suspected leak sources over time. |
| Concept | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| H2S formation | Produced by microbial sulfate reduction under anaerobic conditions. |
| Lead acetate reaction | H2S reacts with lead acetate to form black lead sulfide (PbS). |
| Safety relevance | Early detection reduces risk of corrosion, toxicity, and odor complaints. |
| Environmental monitoring | Provides visual, low-cost confirmation of gas leaks or process upsets. |
Test Strip Documentation |
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| Stability Statement | Certificate of Analysis | SDS | ||
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The test strips from Indigo are top notch. They are always competitively priced and shipped on time. The best part of dealing with Indigo is that they stay on top of their products. We had a bad batch of strips arrive in the past but before we could figure it out the hard way, Indigo had identified the issue and had a replacement order already in the mail to us. Pretty hard to beat that kind of customer service.
Thanks for the kind words & great review. We knew how important these strips were to your business & we happy to nip it in the bud!