Abstract: A portable test kit for colorimetric analysis of trace levels of dithizone-complexing metal cations including lead, is provided. The test kit includes storage tubes each of which contains the reagents and apparatus required for a single test, and has sufficient volumetric capacity to serve as a vessel for the formation and extraction of colored, metal cation-dithizonate complex. Use of the test kit involves a novel and unique sampling technique for capturing a portion of a colored liquid within a container for viewing of the color. Also provided is an improved method for analyzing for trace levels of such metal cations.