Ann - I am still researching this and discussing this with several people that know about this. NARTS website mentions this technology and the cost of the machine but gives a different opinion as to the viability of using it than the ones I have been receiving.

As an example: here's one of the latest I received today (I can't quote the source as I don't have permission) to show you yet again how complicated this all is:

'Yes, you can use the Niton XRF (or any XRF) for clothing. The CPSC is requiring 3rd party accredited testing for certain items - jewelry, lead paint/coated items and eventually all children's products. Some of the 3rd party testing must be wet or digestive, not based on XRF. But those requirements apply to the manufacturer - and a thrift would by no means be the manufacturer. For those children's products manufactured between 2/10 and 8/12 of 2009, the CPSC is allowing XRF. By extension, XRF can be used for existing inventory to determine whether the children's products are banned hazardous substances.'

That is someone else's quite well-informed, educated opinion. Me? I am no expert - just an investigator type personality that can't believe, like you, that even if this law stays as it is something can't be done to work with it. We can easily give up selling kids in our stores and the thrift we operate for charity. But the waste angers me. The impact on so many of our customers at the thrift where more and more are showing up every day to avail themselves of stuff they need but can only afford through places like our thrift - is outrageous and angers me more.

I am still investigating and waiting on some opinions so I can decide whether to investigate the XRF more myself and will let you know. I am fortunate to have so many engineers in my family with a wide range of friends in so many places, knowing about so many things. Trouble is understanding them and the technospeak! Smile.You can of course do your own research, read about it on the CPSC website, NARTS website and there are many others. If you do a goggle search you will find the companies offering leases on this equipment as I had mentioned. They cost, depending on the powerfulness of it, manufacturer and the software between 22 and 40K new. These aren't 'new' pieces of equipment - the technology so to speak. This piece of equipment has been used in other industries for several years so it is not a response to this current crisis facing people due to the new law that makes them available for lease.

Gosh, the human brain cells, time, energy etc being brought to bear over this poorly crafted piece of legislation is mind-boggling.
HTH