• search navSearch
  • English
  • Login

EnviroMail 01 USA

Perfluoroalkyl Substances

Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial applications that are characterized by a fully fluorinated hydrophobic linear carbon chain attached to a hydrophilic functional group. PFAS’ are of interest due to their extreme persistence in the environment, ability to bioaccumulate, toxicity potential, and adverse human health effects.

Right: PFAS is commonly used in firefighting foams due to its unique ability to repel water and oil

firefighter pfas foam
30 JUL 2017 ALS

The chemical structure of PFAS gives them unique properties, such as thermal stability and the ability to repel water and oil, making them useful in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products (fabric stain protectors, waterproofing of fabric, non-stick cookware, food packaging, lubricants, firefighting foams). 

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two of the best known and most studied PFAS’. In their ionic form, they are water soluble and can readily migrate from soil to groundwater, where they can be transported long distances. PFOS is the predominant PFAS found in aquatic species around the world.

Other PFAS’ of environmental concern include Perfluorooctane sulfonamides, sulfonamido ethanols, Fluorotelomer sulfonates, and other forms of Perfluoro carboxylates and Perfluoro sulfonates. 

The EPA Science Advisory Board suggests that PFOA is likely to be carcinogenic and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has classified PFOA as a Group 3 carcinogen. The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey indicates serum PFOA and PFOS are associated with thyroid disease in the U.S. population and several PFAS’ are now part of the EPA UCMR-3 list.

 

ALS Testing Capabilities

The ALS laboratory in Kelso, Washington utilizes three methods for the analysis of PFAS:

  • In-house analytical method for water, soil, sediment, and tissues by LC/MS/MS
  • EPA Method 537 selected perfluorinated alkyl acids in Drinking Water by LC/MS/MS
  • ASTM D7979-15 PFAS’ in water, sludge, influent, effluent, and wastewater by LC/MS/MS

The Kelso facility offers PFAS analysis of water, soil, sediments, biosolids, and tissues matrices. The laboratory holds DoD accreditation, as well as several state certifications for this analysis.

The standard Method Reporting Limits at the Kelso laboratory are:

  • Water: 5 ng/L
  • Soil/Sediment: 1 ug/Kg
  • Tissues: 0.25 ug/Kg
Analyte List
 Matrix/Method Waters Standard Level Waters Low Level Soils
TEST PARAMETER Acronym CAS No. LOR (ug/L) LOR (ug/L) LOR (ug/kg)
Perfluoroalkane Sulfonic Acids
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid PFBS 375-73-5 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid PFPeS 2706-91-4 0.02 0.005 0.1
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid PFHxS 355-46-4 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid PFHpS 375-92-8 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid PFOS 1763-23-1 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid PFDS 335-77-3 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluoroalkane Carboxylic Acids
Perfluorobutanoic acid PFBA 375-22-4 2 2 300
Perfluoropentanoic acid PFPeA 2706-90-3 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorohexanoic acid PFHxA 307-24-4 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluoroheptanoic acid PFHpA 375-85-9 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA 335-67-1 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorononanoic acid PFNA 375-95-1 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorodecanoic acid PFDA 335-76-2 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluoroundecanoic acid PFUnDA 2058-94-8 0.02 0.001 0.1
Perfluorododecanoic acid PFDoDA 307-55-1 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluorotridecanoic acid PFTrDA 72629-94-8 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid PFTeDA 376-06-7 0.1 0.005 0.5
Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides
Perfluorooctane sulfonamide FOSA 754-91-6 0.1 0.005 0.5
N-Methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide MeFOSA 31506-32-8 0.1 0.005 0.5
N-Ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide EtFOSA 4151-50-2 0.1 0.005 0.5
N-Methyl perfluorooctane   sulfonamidoethanol MeFOSE 24448-09-7 0.1 0.005 0.5
N-Ethyl perfluorooctane   sulfonamidoethanol EtFOSE 1691-99-2 0.02 0.001 0.1
N-Methyl perfluorooctane   sulfonamidoacetic acid MeFOSAA 2355-31-9 0.02 0.005 0.1
N-Ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid EtFOSAA 2991-50-6 0.02 0.005 0.1
(n:2) Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acids
4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 4:2 FTS 757124-72-4 0.02 0.005 1
6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 6:2 FTS 27619-97-2 0.02 0.005 0.1
8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 8:2 FTS 39108-34-4 0.02 0.005 1
10:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 10:2 FTS 120226-60-0 0.02 0.005 1

Sampling Requirements

Care must be taken to ensure samplers are not wearing clothing containing PFAS. Bottles must HDPE, with no Teflon lid. PTFE (Teflon) plus rubber should be avoided during sampling and storage (e.g. tubing, bailers). For further information please contact your local ALS Client Services Team.

ALS bottles: 60mL HDPE (water), and 125mL HDPA (soils), no preservative




 
v.1.1.976