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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Sampling Studies and Methods Development for Water and Other Environmental Media
Citation:
Impellitteri, C. AND M. Latham. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Sampling Studies and Methods Development for Water and Other Environmental Media. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-17/022, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methods for analyzing PFAS in environmental media are in various stages of development. EPA is working to develop robust analytical methods for groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and solids, including soils, sediments, and biosolids.
Description:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manufactured compounds used in a variety of industries, such as aerospace, automotive, textiles, and electronics, and are used in some food packaging and firefighting materials. For example, they may be used to make products more resistant to stains, grease and water. In the environment, some PFAS break down very slowly, if at all, allowing bioaccumulation (concentration) to occur in humans and wildlife. Some have been found to be toxic to laboratory animals, producing reproductive, developmental, and systemic effects in laboratory tests. EPA's methods for analyzing PFAS in environmental media are in various stages of development. This technical brief summarizes the work being done to develop robust analytical methods for groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and solids, including soils, sediments, and biosolids.