Abstract: A process for measuring the quantity of lead on the waterway surface of a brass component, for example a brass plumbing fixture, includes the steps of filling the brass component waterway with an aqueous solution of an acid which removes lead from the surface of the brass component. The acid solution is removed from the waterway after a time period which is sufficient to remove substantially all surface lead from the brass component, but which is insufficient for the acid to remove significant surface zinc and copper to expose surface lead. The quantity of lead per unit surface area of the brass component can then be determined by the use of the volume of the acid solution, the surface area of the brass component and the concentration of lead in the acid solution.

Abstract: A process for treating brass plumbing components to reduce leachable lead when the component is subsequently exposed to water includes exposing the brass component in an aqueous solution containing a desired concentration of chloride and pyrophosphate, with the chloride ion promoting the dissolution of lead from the brass component and the pyrophosphate ion preventing saturation of the solution with lead insuring continuation of the dissolution process.