Frequently Asked Questions
No matter what your question is.
Email us at info@detectlead.com
What is your return policy?
We believe in what we make and we stand behind every Fluoro-Spec Kit we ship. If at any point you're not happy with your purchase, you can return it. Seriously. No deadline. No stress. Whether you opened it, used it, or just don’t want it—we’ll take it back. Or pass it along to the next person who could use it.
Just email us at info@detectlead.com and we’ll refund you 100% of your purchase price to your original payment method.
We want you to feel confident testing—not worried about commitment.
When will I receive my order?
At FS, we use a 3rd part logistics provider, most orders go out the same day, if not the next business day.
We offer expedited shipping and standard is ground, delivery time depends on how far you are from New York.
Didn’t get a shipping confirmation email (or any order emails)? Contact us and we’ll look it up for you.
What are the shipping costs for both International and USA customers?
U.S.A. SHIPPING:
Free Shipping with orders $75 USD or More in USA
Flat Rate Shipping and Standard Shipping is $8.00 USD
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
International shipping is available, we are actively working on offering lower shipping costs in the near future to improve access for everyone.
International shipping costs will vary based on your location. Once you enter your address and information, the checkout process will calculate your shipping costs. Please be aware that customs fees or additional charges may apply to international orders, depending on your country's import regulations.
Additionally, we often offer discounts on Detectlead.com and on @ericeverythinglead videos, so keep an eye out for those promo codes!
If you have any further questions regarding shipping, feel free to contact us/me(Eric)!
Can I use my own flashlight?
We recommend using a UV Light that is 365nm. The glowing lead test works by ultraviolet fluorescence, the mineral formed by the liquid contacting lead on the surface of an object will glow when excited by ultraviolet light. Our kit relies on 365nm light, so if you have a flashlight of the correct wavelength you can use your own! However, be aware not all "black light" flashlights or bulbs will emit light at the correct wavelength. Our flashlight was designed specifically to output a lot of 365nm wavelength light with very little visible light.
Is the chemical in the test kit safe?
Yes, while it will irritate your eyes if you get it in your eyes, taste terrible, and may irritate your skin, the chemicals in the test (methylamine Hydrobromide, mandelic acid, isopropyl alcohol) are relatively non-toxic and will not poison you like lead will. But at the end of the day, you are using chemicals to create a reaction with the lead in order to find it, so use the same common sense you would with cleaning products like bleach. Clean up by washing with water (everything dissolves easily) or use a damp napkin to remove residue.
How does the glowing lead test work?
The ingredients in the test react with lead to turn it into a semi-conducting crystalline mineral that fluoresces under UV light.
It's a kind of like changing coal into diamonds. Only these crystals are microscopic, the size of bacteria. They form instantly in most cases and you can see very small clusters of them glow bright green with the naked eye.
How do I clean up after using the test kit?
Clean the area or item with water, the chemicals in the test are water-soluble. If you find an object tests positive and wish to clean it off, use a damp napkin.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling lead-positive items and using our test kit. If you find an object that tests positive and wish to clean it off, use a damp napkin and be sure not to touch the napkin afterwards. If you do it by accident, promptly wash your hands since the colored residue on a lead-containing object will contain lead.
Will the liquid discolor items?
Only if they have lead on them, you will notice the green glowing color when you shine the light on the object but under normal lighting conditions, you may notice an orange color. This substance contains lead and should not be touched. If you do clean the item off use a damp napkin and be sure not to touch the napkin afterwards. The test does contain alcohol, some surface finishes may be damaged by it, clean off right away to ensure nothing happens.
What can I test with FluoroSpec?
Paint, paint dust, metal, glass and ceramics, metal, rubber, vinyl and plastic can all be tested. You can also find debris from sanding or working with lead, gun shot residue, and most other common forms of lead. Don't forget your frosted glasses.
What do I do if my items have lead?
Discard items or put them away! Items can be used as decor.
Knowing is safe!
What's the Shelf Life?
The shelf life of a bottle of Fluoro-Spec is at least 3 years, I have conducted accelerated aging of the liquid and found that it doesn't degrade even when subjected to extreme conditions.
How to install the Spray Extender Ring?
Remember to pump the bottle a few times to get the sprayer primed, if you skip this step you will have to re prime it by taking the spray ring out. Watch a tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lqxhYk-1Wc&t=1s
Discounts/Promo Codes?
check out videos on @ericeverythinglead
What if my product is damaged or I need a replacement?
If you need a replacement or received a damaged product, contact us at info@detectlead.com.
More Questions?
What is FluoroSpec?
FluoroSpec is a lead test kit that helps you spot sources of lead using a UV light and FluoroSpec test liquid, so you can see where lead is including lead dust instead of guessing.
Why do I shine the uv light BEFORE applying the FluoroSpec liquid?
Some objects glow naturally under UV light—this is called fluorescence. You always shine the light first to check for pre-existing fluorescence before applying the liquid.
What is pre-existing fluorescence? Is it lead?
Pre-existing fluorescence is glow you see before applying FluoroSpec liquid. It’s usually blue (sometimes green) and is not lead—because you haven’t applied the test liquid yet.
What is lead?
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal. It was widely used through the 1900s (especially in paint and gasoline) and can still show up in products today, including some rubber items, pigments, furniture, and more.
What can I test with FluoroSpec?
You can test sources like paint, paint dust, pipes, ceramics, glassware, toys, metal, plastic and many painted or coated surfaces.
How do I use FluoroSpec?
Shine UV light on the area first.
Apply FluoroSpec liquid using the spray or drip bottle.
Shine UV light again.
Look for the lead glow—lead will not glow green until the liquid is applied.
How to use the kit?
Testing with FluoroSpec has never been easier. Here’s the powerful part: once you actually see lead, you can’t unsee it. It’s not a “maybe.” It’s glowing green.
With FluoroSpec, you can spot lead glow down to tiny specks of dust—the stuff you’d never notice otherwise. Our goal is simple: put confidence in your hands so you don’t have to keep guessing.
Test your environment. Test your items. Test your things.
Because when you see it, you can deal with it—and remove the risk.
STEP 1
Select an item or surface to test
You can test all your ceramics, glassware, toys, tools, painted surfaces, rubber, metal and plastic.
STEP 2
Shine UV light
Anything that glows at this stage is not lead! Lead never glows green naturally!
STEP 3
Spray or Drip Fluoro-Spec
Spray or Drip test solution onto your test area / object while shinning the light to see the transition. Green Glow = Positive for Lead
“I’ve seen lead destroy people’s lives—only because they didn’t think about it until their kid was already poisoned. If they had tested first, that never would’ve happened. Lead is easy to deal with if you can see it.”
—Eric, @ericeverythinglead
Who is Eric and why does he care about lead?
My name is Eric. I’ve been making lead test kits for 5 years, after manufacturing over 160,000 swab kits and talking with hundreds of customers firsthand.
What I learned surprised me: most people don’t start testing until someone is already dealing with lead poisoning. And honestly, it’s tough to get anyone excited about “swab this, it might turn purple”
So when I realized a glowing lead test was possible, I knew I had to build a better version, something easier to use, more intuitive, and more likely to get people testing before there’s a problem.
Over the last 3, I’ve dedicated virtually all my time to learning everything I can about lead (still learning) and improving solutions that actually help real families. If you ever need guidance, reach out—protecting people from lead is what I do, and I’m always working to do it better.
What’s the story behind FluoroSpec?
I followed the same playbook I used 5 years ago when I built my first line of lead test kits.
I started by looking at what was already out there—then I rebuilt it the way it should be: lower cost, easier to use, better form factors, and more value in your hands.
When I met researchers who were trying to patent a fluorescent method for detecting lead, based on a reaction they already demonstrated works instantly when they exposed it to lead. I was surprised, nevertheless I helped transform their idea in into a real-world kit. They took my first off the cuff idea for a legal to sell product and ran with it. I embarked on my own journey to identify the best possible mixture of chemicals, that keep the product stable for longer and is as sensitive as possible, this mixture became Fluoro-Spec.
And honestly—it’s not magic. I’m not a wizard. The best part (for me) is how much of a positive impact I can have just by delivering this incredibly useful product to people all around the world.
I built Fluoro-Spec to make lead testing simpler, faster, cheaper and more accessable—so more people actually test before there’s a problem.
Full FluoroSpec Lead Test Kit - Everything you need to test for lead.