While many analytical methods used to verify the cleanliness of production equipment used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals employ chromatographic techniques to detect potential analyte(s),some analytes may be more easily monitored using atomic spectroscopy. Additionally, unlike the frequently used cotton swabs from which itmay be necessary to extract the analyte prior to analysis, filter flags may be used to swab equipment surfaces. The lithium concentration on equipment may be easily, rapidly, and accurately determined by ICP-AES and by using filter flags instead of cotton swabs.