Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination is a critical global concern due to the chemicals' persistence and widespread presence in the environment. As research links PFAS to serious health and ecological impacts, regulatory bodies worldwide are tightening testing and reporting requirements.
Laboratories now face increasing pressure to generate accurate, contamination-free results under evolving standards. Navigating this complex landscape demands not only technical precision but also deep awareness of sampling risks and preparation protocols.
This infographic highlights key facts about PFAS, evolving global regulations and practical sample prep tips to ensure reliable testing outcomes in environmental labs.
Download this infographic to understand:
- How PFAS properties and regulations impact testing protocols
- Common contamination risks and how to avoid them during sample prep
- Step-by-step best practices for accurate, reproducible PFAS analysis
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 4,700
chemical molecules that exhibit non-stick, chemical-resistant, heat-resistant,
and waterproof characteristics, among others. The US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) database lists more than 12,000 PFAS with confrmed
structures. However, European agencies have adopted a broader defnition of
PFAS than the US EPA.
Due to their unique chemical properties, PFAS have been used in various
industries and consumer goods, including cosmetics, frefghting foam, food
packaging, textiles, cookware, and automobiles. After being released from
industrial plants, PFAS eventually enter water bodies and oceans, from where
they are released into the atmosphere via aerosols. Rainfall then brings these
chemicals back to the earth’s surface, where they can persist for decades.
The same stable chemical bonds that make PFAS attractive to manufacturers
also make them resistant to degradation. Due to their inherent durability, PFAS
persist in the environment and can be found in air, water, sediment, soil, and
even rain. One study detected PFAS in remote locations such as Antarctica and
the Himalayas. This is concerning due to the growing evidence of the harmful
health and environmental impacts of these chemicals.
Although the largest global producers of PFAS have discontinued certain
products, the production of alternative fluorochemicals continues. This
necessitates ongoing research and surveillance.
PFAS
“Forever Chemicals”
Negative Impacts of PFAS
Efects on human health
Development of kidney and testicular cancer
Liver damage
Elevated cholesterol levels
Weakened immune function
Decreased fertility or complications during pregnancy
Interference with hormone function
Efects on environment
Bioaccumulation
Contamination of groundwater and
drinking water
Harmful efects on reproduction,
development and the immune system
of animals
1. https://stormwater.wef.org/2022/08/scientists-contend-pfas-inrainfall-represents-global-crisis/
Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) - ECHA (europa.eu)
2. PFASs: chemicals in the spotlight | Anses - Agence nationale de
sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du
travail PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action
2021-2024 | US EPA
3. https://daa.com/sampling-and-analysis-of-pfas/
4. https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/11-sampling-and-analytical-methods
5. https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas
6. https://www.anses.fr/en/content/pfass-chemicals-spotlight
7. https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinkingwater-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs
References
Sample Preparation for PFAS Determination
shampoopesticides
stain-resistant
products
paints
frefghting foams
photography
fast food
packaging
non-stick
cookware
cosmetics
PFAS as “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS have stable carbon-fluorine bonds, the strongest covalent bonds in
chemistry, along with varying carbon chain lengths. These chemical bonds
require signifcant energy to break, which makes them extremely durable or
stable to degradation in the environment—and the human body. Currently, the
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assesses food products for six PFAS
contaminants (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, GenX, and PFBS) that
may pose a risk to human health.
Regulations
International
The Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants,
established in 2004, is a global treaty
aimed at protecting the environment
and human health from the efects of
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs),
which include PFAS.
They classify the chemicals according
to Annexes A–C:
Prohibited (A)
Restricted (B)
Unintentional production (C)
United States of America
The EPA is committed to
implementing specifc actions and
adopting more robust policies to
protect public health, preserve the
environment, and hold polluters
accountable.
In the EPA’s ffth Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Rule
(UCMR 5), the agency established
minimum reporting levels (MRLs) for
the contaminants under UCMR 5,
which include 29 PFAS.
Europe
The revised Directive 2020/2184,
dated 16 December 2020, pertaining
to the quality of drinking water
includes parameters for PFAS. It
targets 20 PFAS and sets a limit of
0.10 μg/L for the combined total of
these compounds in drinking water.
REACH Regulation, introduced in
2006 to regulate the production and
use of chemical substances, classifes
PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and PFBS as
Substances of Very High Concern
(SVHC).
Materials and tools used for environmental sampling should be free from contaminants or interfering substances at
levels less than one-third of the MRL. Sartorius ofers a variety of trusted solutions for sample preparation workflows,
ensuring time efciency and robust, reproducible results.
PFAS guidelines for testing are governed by various regulations and standards, including EPA 533, EPA 537.1, EPA 8327,
EPA 1633, ISO 25101, ISO 21675, and ASTM E3302. These standards are evolving due to the growing global awareness of
PFAS and their adverse efects.
Workflow Solutions
Step 1: Preparation of solvents
The preparation of solvents for LCMS requires ultrapure water to ensure
accuracy and reliability in the analysis.
Any contaminants present in the water
can interfere with the measurements.
Step 2: Preparation of standards
Precise weighing is crucial when
calculating standards or laboratory
control samples. Deviations can lead
to signifcant errors in concentration,
potentially compromising the validity of
the results.
Step 3: Pipetting
To reliably detect trace contaminants,
it is critical to utilize every microliter of
sample. Accurate pipetting is also vital to
ensure reliable data from the sample and
surrogate spiking solutions.
Step 4: Filtration
Filtration devices play a vital role in
clarifcation, prefltration, and sterile
fltration, as they help remove particles
that could interfere with detection and
potentially block the chromatography
column.
Arium® Mini Lab Water Systems
Cubis® II Ultramicro, micro,
analytical, and precision balances
Tacta® and Picus® Pipettes
with guided protocols
Minisart® Syringe Filters
Tips for Contamination-Free PFAS Sampling
Do’s
Wear cotton clothing or welllaundered synthetic fabrics
Use nitrile gloves without powder
Use PFAS-free equipment and
supplies, including caps
Use pesticide-free or higher-purity
reagents and solvents
Use pipettes that are free of
target analyte with disposable
polyethylene tips
Don’ts
Wear water-repellent, waterproof,
stab-resistant, fre-repellant clothes
Use cosmetics, moisturizers,
sunblock, or insect repellents, which
include PFAS
Use plastic clipboards, waterproof
logbooks
Bring packaged food/drinks
Use aluminum foil labels, permanent
markers, sticky notes
Use chemical ice drinking water
pharmaceuticals
cannabis
beverages
medical devices
Learn more about how Sartorius solutions can be used in
environmental testing labs: www.sartorius.com/PFASLab
