Reducing PFAS Contamination To Ensure Water Quality
App Note / Case Study
Published: February 11, 2026
Credit: iStock.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including over 4,700 chemical molecules, are best known for their non-stick and waterproof properties. However, their persistence in water raises environmental and health concerns.
To ensure the purity of tap water, PFAS must be removed to levels as low as sub-parts per trillion.
This application note explores how a single system can reduce PFAS concentration in tap water to below the limit of detection, ensuring compliance with drinking water quality standards.
Download this app note to learn about:
- PFAS removal using activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis treatment, and resin ion exchange
- The role of LC-MS in validating this multi-stage approach
- How to treat highly contaminated solutions
Application Note
From Contamination to Compliance:
The Role of Sartorius' Lab Water System
in PFAS Detection
Reduction of PFAS Contaminants Using Arium® Comfort I UV
Mary ‘Tricia’ Vail¹, Dr. Zijie ‘Beryl’ Xia², Andrew Chrisitianson³, Dr. Kunal Kureja*¹
1. Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co.KG, Otto-Brenner-Str. 20, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
2. Claros Technologies Inc, 1600 Broadway St NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413, USA
3. Novem Scientific, LLC, 2357 Ventura Drive, Suite 110 Woodbury, MN 55125, USA
*Correspondence
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a family of over 4,700 chemical molecules is known for non-stick and waterproof
properties. These versatile compounds find their application in diverse industries, including cosmetics, textiles, and automobiles.
Resistance to degradation, they persist in water, soil and atmosphere, contributing to environmental concern.
This application note uses two complementary analytical techniques: liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry and
combustion ion chromatography to discern how the Arium® Comfort I UV reduces PFAS contaminants concentration below
detection limits to up to single-digit ppt or sub-ppt-level (parts per trillion, dependent on the compound) in water. The results
show that Arium® Comfort I UV is highly efficient in the reduction of PFAS in water with both the standard and PTFE-free setup.
December 04, 2023
Keywords or phrases:
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), PFAS
reduction, Ultrapure water, ASTM Type I water, Arium®,
LCMS, CIC TOF
For further information, visit sartorius.com
2
Introduction
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in
industrial and consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, due to their
unique properties. However, their persistence in the environment and potential adverse health effects have raised
concerns about their presence in water sources, including
drinking water. Human exposure to PFAS can occur through
ingestion of contaminated food and water, inhalation of dust
and air, and skin contact with products containing PFAS.
Once released into the environment, PFAS can persist for
a long time and can leach into soil and water, potentially
contaminating drinking water sources and harming wildlife
(Figure 1).¹,²
This application note discusses how the Arium® Comfort I UV
effectively reduces PFAS contaminants concentration below
detection limits to up to single-digit ppt or sub-ppt-level
(parts per trillion, dependent on the compound) in water.
Figure 1: Main PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Biota²
Human Biota River & Groundwater
Food Drinking water Breast milk
Exposure Media
Wastewater Landfill waste Air & dust Soil & farmland
Environmental Release
Products Manufacturing
PFAS using |
producing industries
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
Food containers and packaging Cookware (Teflon)
Furniture Fabric protection Carpet and rugs
3
Achieving Below Detection
Limit Removal
The combination of activated carbon, RO treatment, and
resin ion exchange in the Arium® Comfort I UV enables
the reduction of PFAS concentrations to below detection
limits in tap water. The system ensures the production of
high-quality water that is verified to reduce the risk of PFAS
contamination from the original water source, meeting the
stringent purity requirements of various applications.
Treating Highly Contaminated
PFAS Solutions
The effectiveness of the Arium® Comfort I UV is not limited
to potable water. The system has been tested and proven
to treat highly contaminated solutions containing up to
~4 ppb (parts per billion) of various PFAS compounds. This
capability highlights the system’s robustness and efficiency
in addressing challenging contamination scenarios.
Materials
• Arium® Comfort I UV
• Arium® Bag Tank
• LCMS System (Shimadzu 8060 LCMS and PromoChrom
SPE03)
• CIC-System (Metrohm Custom Halogen Analyzer)
• Extracting tools and equipment
Arium® Comfort I UV
Sartorius offers the compact, environmentally friendly,
reliable, and easy-to-use Arium® Comfort I for producing
ASTM Type 1 ultrapure water and Type 3 pure water
combined in a single system. The system contains state-ofthe-art reverse osmosis technology and a unique cartridge
specifically to produce the highest ultrapure water quality.
Compared to conventional water systems, the Arium®
Comfort I optimizes water consumption using the integrated
iJust control unit. This unique touch display with intuitive
menu navigation ensures the utmost ease of use.
With the optionally integrated TOC monitor, its compact
design, and the SD card slot, the Arium® Comfort I is the ideal
choice for demanding laboratory applications.
Ultrapure Water Purification
System Overview
The Arium® Comfort I UV is a comprehensive water
treatment solution designed to produce ultrapure water from
in- house potable water for various applications, ensuring
the reduction of a wide range of contaminants, including
traces of metal ions, organic contamination and PFAS. The
system employs a multi-stage approach combining activated
carbon, reverse osmosis technology, and resin ion exchange
to achieve efficient PFAS removal.
PFAS Removal Process
PFAS Removal Process³
Our Arium® Comfort I UV employs a multi-stage process to
eliminate PFAS contaminants from potable water, ensuring
the highest level of water purity.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Module
The process begins with the water passing through the
RO module. The cornerstone of our PFAS removal strategy
lies in the implementation of advanced RO technology.⁴,⁵
RO has proven to be remarkably efficient in removing PFAS
compounds, boasting a removal rate of up to 99% of PFOS
from the feedwater.⁶ This includes the drastic reduction of
both long-chain and short-chain PFAS molecules (C4 - C14),
demonstrating the technology’s comprehensive efficacy.
Activated Carbon Filtration
Following RO filtration, the water enters the activated carbon
filtration stage. Activated carbon, renowned for its exceptional adsorption properties, further targets PFAS molecules.
This step enhances the purification process by capturing
remaining PFAS compounds and other organic impurities.⁷,⁸
Resin Ion Exchange
The final stage involves resin ion exchange, a process that
further polishes the water by exchanging undesirable ions,
including remaining traces of PFAS, with ions on the resin.
This step ensures that even the minute concentrations
of PFAS that may have passed through earlier stages are
effectively removed.⁴
4
Arium® Bagtank
The pure water is stored in the innovative enclosed Arium®
Bagtank system. This system protects the prepared pure
water against secondary contamination. The Sartorius
Bagtank system enables consistent water quality over a prolonged period, thereby ensuring permanent, reproducible
results. Unlike conventional water reservoirs, the Arium®
Bag offers a high level of user safety and time savings, as
there is no need for a complicated cleaning procedure with
chemicals.
LCMS Condition
LCMS data was obtained using a Shimadzu 8045
UPLC-QQQ instrument with internal standards. The
instrument is modified to reduce PFAS contamination from
the instrument components and LC solvents including a
delay column. The chromatographic separation is performed
with a BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.1 µm) using a
gradient (Solvent A and B follows EPA draft method 1633).
MS source conditions are adjusted to allow optimized
performance for all 40 PFAS compounds. Data analysis is
done with the LabSolution software.
Storage
Samples were stored in 4 °C environment prior to the
extraction.
Extraction
Samples were taken out of the refrigerated environment
and allow to return to room temperature. Method blanks
and lab control samples were created according to the
lab procedure. All samples, method blank, and lab control
samples contain the same amount of spike of surrogate
compounds (extracted internal standards). The samples
were mixed by inverting the bottle gently backing forth
for approximately one minute. The samples were loaded
on PromoChrom SPE03 automatic solid phase extraction
system. The 1633 method solid phase extraction method was
used for these samples.
CIC-Condition
Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC) data was obtained
using a customized halogen analyzer from Metrohm for
the analysis of Total Organofluorine (TOF) data per sample,
allowing for a direct comparison with LCMS data. Briefly,
a known amount of sample is combusted in a greater than
1,000 °C oven and the gas phase containing total ions is
condensed in an absorber solution with subsequent analysis
by ion chromatography. This result gives the total fluorine
(TF) value of the sample. An Asupp7 column is used in
standard conditions (EPA 300.0) to separate and quantify
the components which are detected by conductivity.
Simultaneously, the same sample is sent directly to a different
IC to analyze for inorganic fluorine (IF, as free fluoride). This
result gives the inorganic fluoride value. TOF may now be
calculated by TF – IF. The analysis is non-speciated, focusing
on the collective impact of PFAS, and offers a streamlined
approach with significantly reduced sample preparation.
This comprehensive TOF perspective provides prompt
insights into unknowns, potentially negating the need for
subsequent advanced testing. In this analytical setup, the
Custom Halogen Analyzer has been optimized after receipt
by Metrohm and features a reporting limit of 7.5 ppb.
Result
LCMS Results
The method of detection limit (MDL) and the method
reporting limits (MRL) for LCMS are shown in Table 1. The last
complete validation of the LCMS was performed in Q2 2023
and the analysis were performed in Q2 and Q3 2023. Any
compounds with T in the analyte indicate that both branched
and linear isomers are in quantitation consideration.
Table 1: MDL and MRL Values of the PFAS
Analyte MDL (ppt) MRL (ppt)
PFBA 2.100 5
PFPeA 0.399 1
PFHxA 0.375 1
PFHpA 0.419 1
PFOA 0.507 2
PFNA 0.547 2
PFDA 0.274 1
PFUnA 0.399 1
PFDoA 0.554 2
PFTrDA 0.759 2
PFTeDA 0.395 1
T-NMeFOSAA 0.212 1
T-NEtFOSAA 0.514 2
PFBS 0.503 2
PFPeS 0.489 2
T-PFHxS 0.427 1
PFHpS 0.500 2
T-PFOS 0.351 1
PFNS 0.395 1
PFDS 0.373 1
PFDoS 0.748 2
4:2 FTS 1.389 5
6:2 FTS 2.215 5
8:2 FTS 2.550 10
PFOSA 0.445 1
5
Experiment I
Samples of water mimicking a normal lab setting by
connecting the system to the tap water. Two different
Arium® Systems were chosen for this experiment. The
first Arium® Comfort UV I system has the standard setup,
which is equipped with virgin PE and PTFE tubing (Setup I).
The second Arium® Comfort I UV system is only equipped
with PE tubing (Setup II). The samples were collected at
(see Figure 2):
• Feed water
• Post RO-treatment and before the water was stored in
Arium® Bagtank
• At point of use of the system (without any final filter)
Analyte MDL (ppt) MRL (ppt)
HFPO-DA 0.628 2
ADONA 0.973 2
9Cl-PF3ONS 0.662 2
11Cl-PF3OUdS 1.958 5
N-MeFOSA 0.612 2
N-EtFOSA 0.672 2
N-MeFOSE 10.668 30
N-EtFOSE 6.733 20
3:3 FTCA 0.412 1
5:3 FTCA 3.099 10
7:3 FTCA 3.483 10
PFMPA 0.314 1
PFMBA 0.350 1
NFDHA 0.907 2
PFEESA 0.308 1
Figure 2: Flowchart of Arium® Comfort I UV. Blue Stars Mark the Point of Sampling
Conductivity
measurement
(feed water)
Pretreatment
cartridge Pump
Inlet
(feed water)
RO module #1
Conductivity measurement
(product water | permeate)
(RO)
Arium®
Bagtank
RO
module
#2
Outlet
(waste water)
Outlet
(waste water)
Arium®
Comfort kit
Pump
Inlet
bagtank
UV lamp
(185 | 254 nm)
Conductivity measurement
ultrapure water
TOC
6
Results I
The Arium® Comfort I UV systems were installed in Woodbury, MN, a location with a historical presence of PFAS in tap water.
The analysis conducted three times and detailed in Table 2 with results reported in ppt, reveals that the PFAS content in the
feed water is consistently reduced to levels below the limit of detection after undergoing RO-treatment. Furthermore, there is
no discernible PFAS leakage during the polishing step of the system.
Table 2: PFAS Results of the Experiment I. The Table Shows the Average of Three Analysis Content of the Respective PFAS
Feed Water (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt)
Average Standard Deviation Setup I Setup II Setup I Setup II
PFBA 233.715 1.778 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFPeA 5.275 0.102 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFHxA 1.796 0.026 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFOA 1.982 0.087 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFBS 1.374 0.055 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
T-PFHxS 1.451 0.277 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
T-PFOS 0.926 0.105 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFHpA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFNA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFDA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFUnA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFDoA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFTrDA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFTeDA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
T-NMeFOSAA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
T-NEtFOSAA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFPeS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFHpS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFNS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFDS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFDoS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
4:2 FTS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
6:2 FTS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
8:2 FTS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFOSA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
HFPO-DA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
ADONA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
9Cl-PF3ONS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
11Cl-PF3OUdS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-MeFOSA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-EtFOSA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-MeFOSE n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-EtFOSE n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
3:3 FTCA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
5:3 FTCA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
7:3 FTCA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
7
Feed Water (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt)
Average Standard Deviation Setup I Setup II Setup I Setup II
PFMPA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFMBA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
NFDHA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
PFEESA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Experiment II
Samples for the spiked the 50 L bag filled with reagent water with additional PFAS to test the system’s capability were
collected at (see Figure 3):
• The reagent water, before it was spiked with PFAS
• Post 50 L bag for the spiked PFAS concentration
• Post RO-treatment and before the water was stored in Arium® Bagtank
• At the outlet of the system (without any final filter)
The first Arium® Comfort UV I system has the standard setup, which is equipped with virgin PE and PTFE tubing (Setup I).
The second Arium® Comfort I UV system is only equipped with PE tubing.
Figure 3: Modified Flowchart for the Spiked Experiment Utilizing Arium® Comfort I UV. Blue Stars Mark the Point of Sampling
Conductivity
measurement
(feed water)
Pretreatment
cartridge Pump
Inlet Arium®
Comfort I UV
RO module #1 Conductivity measurement
(product water | permeate)
(RO)
Arium®
Bagtank
RO
module
#2
Outlet
(waste water)
Outlet
(waste water)
Arium®
Comfort kit
Pump
Inlet
bagtank
UV lamp
(185 | 254 nm)
Conductivity measurement
ultrapure water
Arium®
Bagtank
UP water
Spiking
solution
TOC
8
Results II
All reported results in Table 3 are in ppt. The PFAS concentration before spiking was below the limit of detection,
consequently, is not presented in the table below. Although one 50 L water bag was intentionally spiked with PFAS, the
experiments were conducted a week apart, resulting in an intriguing disparity in the initial concentrations. This variance could
be attributed to the practical challenges of effectively mixing PFAS with a 50 L water bag, given the surfactant nature of PFAS,
potentially resulting in a heterogeneous distribution within the bag. Furthermore, the instability of certain PFAS compounds
at room temperature could contribute to the observed variations. These nuances underscore the importance of careful
experimental design and consideration of PFAS properties in ensuring accurate and reliable results.
Table 3: Post 50 L Bag, Post RO Treatment and at the Point of Use Concentrations of the PFAS in the Spiked Experiment
Setup I Setup II
Post 50 L bag (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt) Post 50 L bag (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt)
PFBA 1166.33 n.d. n.d. 4587.67 n.d. n.d.
PFPeA 1090.00 1.73 n.d. 4149.00 3.07 n.d.
PFHxA 881.43 1.1 n.d. 4482.00 2.43 n.d.
PFHpA 17.63 n.d. n.d. 106.83 n.d. n.d.
PFOA 502.17 n.d. n.d. 2017.00 n.d. n.d.
PFNA 14.40 n.d. n.d. 89.50 n.d. n.d.
PFDA 15.10 n.d. n.d. 94.77 n.d. n.d.
PFUnA 11.67 n.d. n.d. 94.00 n.d. n.d.
PFDoA 7.33 n.d. n.d. 68.00 n.d. n.d.
PFTrDA 4.73 n.d. n.d. 44.07 n.d. n.d.
PFTeDA 2.87 n.d. n.d. 21.27 n.d. n.d.
T-NMeFOSAA 8.70 n.d. n.d. 60.37 n.d. n.d.
T-NEtFOSAA 6.30 n.d. n.d. 37.53 n.d. n.d.
PFBS 1387.33 n.d. n.d. 8196.00 7.63 n.d.
PFPeS 26.50 n.d. n.d. 293.93 n.d. n.d.
T-PFHxS 638.07 n.d. n.d. 4103.33 0.87 n.d.
PFHpS 47.50 n.d. n.d. 389.47 n.d. n.d.
T-PFOS 636.83 n.d. n.d. 4271.00 n.d. n.d.
PFNS 17.57 n.d. n.d. 200.47 n.d. n.d.
PFDS 11.33 n.d. n.d. 181.50 n.d. n.d.
PFDoS 4.30 n.d. n.d. 49.37 n.d. n.d.
4:2 FTS 62.07 n.d. n.d. 342.57 n.d. n.d.
6:2 FTS 54.33 n.d. n.d. 280.57 n.d. n.d.
8:2 FTS 52.37 n.d. n.d. 303.23 n.d. n.d.
PFOSA 1.87 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
HFPO-DA 12.83 n.d. n.d. 79.60 n.d. n.d.
ADONA 12.57 n.d. n.d. 82.20 n.d. n.d.
9Cl-PF3ONS 10.87 n.d. n.d. 74.97 n.d. n.d.
11Cl-PF3OUdS 3.90 n.d. n.d. 94.60 n.d. n.d.
N-MeFOSA 0.73 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-EtFOSA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-MeFOSE n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
N-EtFOSE n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
9
Setup I Setup II
Post 50 L bag (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt) Post 50 L bag (ppt) Post RO (ppt) Point of Use (ppt)
3:3 FTCA 37.07 n.d. n.d. 522.70 n.d. n.d.
5:3 FTCA 343.23 n.d. n.d. 4651.67 n.d. n.d.
7:3 FTCA 131.30 n.d. n.d. 1218.60 n.d. n.d.
PFMPA 24.63 n.d. n.d. 322.03 n.d. n.d.
PFMBA 21.40 n.d. n.d. 260.47 n.d. n.d.
NFDHA 39.10 n.d. n.d. 523.30 n.d. n.d.
PFEESA 35.53 n.d. n.d. 494.13 n.d. n.d.
Notable differences in initial concentrations between the two setups distinctly influence the concentrations observed at
both the post RO sampling point and the point of use sampling point. Commencing at concentrations in part ppb, the
analytes swiftly reach non-detect levels at the point of use. The Arium® Comfort I UV system, producing reagent water, further
enhances its significance, providing water of the requisite purity for testing labs engaged in PFAS applications.
TOF Results
The determination of Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) involves
the subtraction of Inorganic Fluorine (IF) from the total,
resulting in TOF. To calculate TOF, the inputs required
are TF and IF (TOF = TF – IF). The measurement of free
fluoride in the sample typically represents IF (Figure 4).
The process of obtaining TF involves combusting the sample
at temperatures exceeding 1,000 °C to break carbon bonds
and form ions. The gas containing the ions of interest is
then condensed into an absorption solution and analyzed
by Ion Chromatography (IC). Determining IF is achieved
by running the sample through IC for free fluoride. The
subtraction of these values yields the TOF of the sample.
It is crucial to consider various factors, including matrix
effects, contaminant ions, and the presence of dissolved
or suspended solids and metals. For solids, a different
approach is necessary, requiring the extraction of a solid for
IF determination even though TF can be directly determined.
Figure 4: Scheme of a Fluorine Mass Balance Approach
Applying Organically Bound Fluorine Sum Parameters
Total Fluorine (TF)
(CIC)
Inorganic Fluoride (IF)
Free fluoride (IC) | “Bound” fluoride
Total Organic Fluorine (TOF)
TF– IF=TOF
Adsorbable
AOF (CIC)
Total oxidizable
precursor TOPS
(LCMS)
Extractable
EOF (CIC)
Plasma induced
gamma emission
(PIGE)
Speciated
Analytes (LCMS)
Adhering to the same experimental design and utilizing
identical sample points as outlined in the LCMS schema, the
chosen methodology involves employing CIC to analyze TOF
data on a per-sample basis, allowing for a direct comparison
with LCMS data. This non-speciated analysis is specifically
focused on evaluating the combined impact of PFAS. A
comprehensive examination of TOF provides swift insights
into unknown elements, offering a rapid understanding.
Table 4: Total Organofluorine (TOF) via Combustion Ion
Chromatography (CIC)
Sample ID Setup I Setup II
Experiment I Tap Water (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
Post RO (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
Point of Use (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
Experiment II Pre-Spiking (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
Post 50 L bag (ppb) <7.5 24.3
Post RO (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
Point of Use (ppb) <7.5 <7.5
The Arium® Comfort I UV system consistently produces highquality reagent water, making it well-suited for PFAS testing
labs. The TOF data serves as a valuable complement to LCMS
data, ensuring a more comprehensive analysis. Verified
non-detects and the confirmed increase after a 50 L Bag in
System 2 reinforce the system’s reliability. Importantly, the
impact of PFAS contribution is verified, dispelling concerns
of hidden analytes driving total organic fluorine levels
upward. This underscores the system’s transparency and
accuracy in PFAS analysis.
10
Return of Investment
The cost analysis provided over a one-year period, as shown
in Figure 5 clearly highlights the advantages of transitioning
to in-house treated water. With a daily demand of two
liters, the investment in the treatment device starts to yield
significant financial benefits in as little as four months,
ultimately resulting in substantial cost savings within the
course of a year. Furthermore, this approach aligns with
sustainability goals by eliminating the need for glass bottles,
reducing pollution associated with shipping, and eliminating
the necessity for extensive storage space.
Figure 5: Comparison of Expenses Between In-House
Produced Arium®-Water Type I (Ultrapure Water) and
Bottled Water (LCMS Grade, With PFAS Content Below
Detection Limit)
30,000
0
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
Cost [US $]
Duration [Month]
Return of Investment
2 4 6 8 10 12
Bottled Water
Arium® Water
Note: Calculation based on following assumptions: two liters water consumption per working day, 20 working days per month, Arium® Comfort I
UV system plus consumables list price = $9,590, annual Arium® Comfort I
UV consumables list price = $2,400 and costs bottled water LCMS grade =
$60/liter*.
* TH.Geyer 29.8.23, 10:16
Conclusion
The Arium® Comfort I UV offers a comprehensive solution
for the reduction of PFAS contaminants from tap water,
reducing their concentrations to below limit of detection.
Through a combination of activated carbon filtration, reverse
osmosis treatment, and resin ion exchange, the system
ensures the production of ultrapure water suitable for a wide
range of applications. Additionally, the system’s ability to
treat highly contaminated solutions (~4 ppb) demonstrates
its efficacy in managing even the most challenging PFAS
contamination scenario , whether the system is equipped
with PE tubing alone or both PE and PTFE tubing (see
Setup I and II). For analytical laboratory and applications
demanding the highest water quality standards, the Arium®
Comfort I UV provides a reliable and effective solution for
PFAS reduction.
11
References
1. Racz, L. & Kempisty, D. M. PFAS. Today and Tomorrow.
In Forever chemicals. Environmental, economic, and social
equity concerns with PFAS in the environment, edited by D.
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Specifications subject to change without notice.
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