The purpose of this investigation, in addition to understanding the basic principles underlying the
scanning electron microscope and the x-ray microanalysis system, was to apply techniques learned in
the laboratory towards a better understanding of a real-world situation. For this reason, the focus
of this investigation has been to examine the composition of paint samples from different locations,
as they may relate to my own personal well being, and the well being of others who come into contact
with these environments. The overall goal of this investigation will be to quantify the content of
different heavy metals in samples from different areas of buildings.
Figure 4. Cross-section of paint sample from the front door of apartment at 51 Utica Street.
Stratification is pronounced and significant. KeV, 20; tilt, 30; magnification, 151x; working distance,
15mm; TOA, 33.26; resolution, 133.93; live seconds, 206; aperture, 200nm; spot size, 6; TC, 40.
Table 2. Quantification of elemental composition of paint sample seen in figure 4. Parameters are as
in figure 4. Live seconds, 134; resolution, 131.45.
