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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.
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