These techniques could be invaluable in the effort to prevent PFAS from entering the environment and endangering human health. Newer, non-targeted analysis using high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry help researchers identify novel, unknown PFAS analytes. However, the shortcomings of targeted analysis are that it cannot be used to discover new PFAS analytes and most methods can only monitor up to 30 PFAS chemicals, a very small fraction of 5,000 known PFAS produced commercially. The EPA has published several targeted methods for detecting PFAS in drinking water, groundwater, surface water and wastewater, as well as in soil, fish tissue, and other solids.
Targeted analysis is used to detect and quantify levels of PFAS analytes that have already been defined.
There are two methods used to analyze PFAS in water, soil and other solid materials: targeted and non-targeted analysis. These government actions make the detection and understanding of PFAS more urgent than ever. Earlier this summer, the EPA announced drinking water health advisories for four PFAS, offering technical information to guide water quality monitoring and the use of technology to reduce PFAS. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a Strategic Roadmap in 2021 that proposes a three-year plan for tackling PFAS along three pillars: research, restrict, and remediate. The Challenge to Identifying PFASĮarlier this year, the European Chemicals Agency proposed restricting PFAS in firefighting foams across the European Union. However, new technology like accurate mass spectrometry makes defining and analyzing these chemicals possible in this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
There are an estimated 5,000 PFAS chemicals, many of which are not well characterized or understood. While the increase in regulation and testing will be key to limiting the consequences of PFAS, this effort is no simple task, especially for water and waste management companies responsible for mitigating PFAS contamination. Due to the dangers these chemicals pose, regulators are setting limits on PFAS and requiring regular testing to monitor their levels. Called “forever chemicals” because of the extreme resistance to breakdown in the environment, PFAS can seep into groundwater and soil, contaminate food and crops and ultimately endanger human health. As government regulators seek to limit per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which are chemicals linked to a range of health and environmental risks – testing for these chemicals has proven challenging.