Forensics Analysis of PFAS Using Advanced Analytical TechniquesEnvironmental Forensics
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Choyke
Eurofins Environment Testing, 4955 Yarrow St, Arvada, Colorado, 80002, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 717-663-9234
ABSTRACT
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a diverse group of contaminants of emerging concern with unique chemistry and complex chemical structures which make them difficult to analyze in environmental matrices. Over the last two decades, analytical testing has expanded from just two PFASs at known sources, to a nation-wide sampling strategy. In early 2024, EPA published two methods for PFAS testing: EPA Method 1621 is a screening method to estimate Adsorbable Organic Fluorine in aqueous matrices and EPA Method 1633 is a quantitative method to detect 40 PFASs in environmental matrices. In addition to these published methods, there are a variety of advanced analytical techniques to collect additional data about individual PFASs or total PFAS at the site. These techniques include Isotope Dilution Analysis (IDA), Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) Assay, Total Organic Fluorine (TOF), Branched and Linear Isomer analysis, and Non-Targeted analysis (NTA), all of which complement the standard analytical methods and provide additional information for site characterization if analytical standards are not available. I will provide details on each advanced analytical technique, challenges of each technique and matrix, and situations in which the data would improve the understanding of the site. Each advanced analytical technique may provide an answer to the questions: which PFASs are at the site? and how much PFAS is there?
