PlomBOX: Detecting Lead in Drinking Water

By Henry Lawson

Research Based
4 minute read
Featured image for PlomBOX: Detecting Lead in Drinking Water

Lead contamination in drinking water is a global health crisis. Even low levels of exposure can cause serious health issues, including developmental problems in children and chronic conditions in adults. Despite its dangers, lead remains difficult and expensive to detect in water, especially in low-income regions. Traditional testing methods require costly equipment and trained specialists, leaving many communities vulnerable.

To address this urgent need, researchers have developed PlomBOX - a portable, low-cost device that detects lead in water with impressive accuracy. By combining innovative biosensor technology with smartphone integration, PlomBOX offers a user-friendly solution to an age-old problem.


How PlomBOX Works

At the heart of PlomBOX is a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli  (E. coli) bacteria. This specially engineered microorganism reacts to lead in water by producing a vivid blue color. The system relies on a biosensor equipped with a lead-responsive genetic circuit. When lead is present, it activates a series of molecular events that result in the production of a detectable color change.

The PlomBOX device itself consists of three main components:

  1. The genetically modified bacteria, provided in disposable cartridges.
  2. An imaging system with LED lighting and a low-cost camera to detect color changes.
  3. A smartphone app, PlomApp, that analyzes the images and displays the lead concentration.

The process is straightforward. Users insert a water sample and bacteria cartridge into the PlomBOX. After a short incubation period, the bacteria react to any lead present in the sample. The camera captures the resulting color change, and the PlomApp processes the data to determine the lead level.


A Breakthrough in Accessibility

One of the most impressive features of PlomBOX is its affordability. At approximately $20 for the reusable device (excluding the bacteria cartridges), it is far cheaper than traditional laboratory methods like atomic absorption spectroscopy. The simplicity of the system also makes it accessible to non-experts, allowing individuals in remote or underserved areas to test their water directly at home.

PlomBOX is designed to detect lead concentrations as low as 10 parts per billion (ppb), the World Health Organization's upper safety limit for drinking water. This sensitivity ensures reliable detection, even in regions with minimal contamination. The system’s portability and ease of use make it ideal for large-scale water monitoring campaigns, particularly in developing countries where lead exposure is most prevalent.


Real-World Testing

Researchers tested PlomBOX in a water sampling campaign in Buenos Aires, where lead contamination from old plumbing is a known issue. The device performed exceptionally well, demonstrating an 83% correlation with results from traditional laboratory tests. In controlled lab settings, it reliably identified lead levels across a wide range of concentrations, confirming its robustness for both field and laboratory use.

Unlike many existing lead biosensors, PlomBOX is not affected by common water contaminants like mercury or cadmium. This specificity ensures accurate results, even in complex water samples.


Expanding the Potential

While PlomBOX was designed for lead detection, its underlying technology can be adapted to monitor other pollutants. By modifying the bacterial biosensors, the system could detect toxins like arsenic or pathogens in drinking water. This flexibility opens the door to a new generation of affordable and customizable environmental monitoring tools.

Future improvements could include integrating the biosensors into "ready-to-use" cartridges for enhanced ease of use. Additionally, the research team is exploring ways to expand the system’s range to detect higher lead concentrations and address contamination in industrial settings.


A Vision for Safer Communities

PlomBOX represents more than just an innovation in water testing - it’s a step toward a healthier and more equitable world. By empowering communities to monitor their water quality, this technology has the potential to reduce lead exposure and improve public health outcomes.

As PlomBOX moves toward wider adoption, it could become a cornerstone of global efforts to combat water contamination. Its low cost, portability, and adaptability make it a game-changer for environmental health, proving that impactful solutions don’t always require complex or expensive tools.

Based on Research

PlomBOX: a low cost bioassay for the sensitive detection of lead in drinking water

Dias et al., 2025

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