PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Testing Methods
PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Testing Methods
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have a widespread presence in a variety of environmental samples and pose many challenges. PFAS can make its way into drinking water from past industrial disposal or spills. The limitation greatly faced is that PFAS cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled in drinking water. The only way to know if the water has PFAS is by testing the water samples.
Some of the environmental matrix on which PFAS testing is done are listed below:
- Drinking water
- Air
- Soil
- Tissue and blood/serum
- Food and agricultural products
- Consumer products
The PFAS testing methods include:
- Blood Testing: Decisions about undergoing PFAS testing require consent from the patient as well as a shared decision with the clinician. It is expedient to allow people the opportunity to decide whether they will undergo PFAS testing. The discussion with the patient should also include details on how PFAS exposure occurs, the potential health hazards of PFAS, and the limitations of the testing.
- Water Testing: The goal is to evaluate whether people in a particular environment with the same water source are exposed to PFAS at levels above guidance values in their drinking water.
Video 01: Testing water for PFOA and PFAS
Common Uses of PFAS
- To enhance the performance of products like cooking pans, cosmetics, etc.
- Used in the photographic industry
- Fire-fighting foams.
- Personal care products.
Advantages of PFAS Testing
- Create a sustainable, eco-responsible supply chain.
Limitations of PFAS Testing
- Limited in what the laboratory equipment is able to detect.
- PFAS blood testing does not identify the sources of exposure nor does it predict future health outcomes.
