PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom. They are also known as the Forever Chemicals, as they are ubiquitous and persistent synthetic chemicals that are hard to break down. Due to their versatile non-stick and stain-repellent properties, PFAS are widely used in numerous household and industrial products, such as cookware, food packaging, cosmetics, waterproof clothing, carpets, mattresses, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, and fire-fighting foams. As PFAS can be toxic to both humans and wildlife, there is an increasing need to test for the presence of these compounds in the environment and food.
What do I need for PFAS testing?
If you are looking to perform PFAS testing and are investigating the purchase of chemicals and consumables, chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation or data analysis software, we have you covered.
There are numerous options available for PFAS testing, with the key factors to consider being sample type (water, soil, air, food, etc.) and whether the analysis involves targeted analysis or unknown screening.
| Chemicals | Consumables | Sample preparation | Analytical systems |
|---|---|---|---|
Our ultrahigh purity chemicals and reagents for the sample preparation and analysis of PFAS compounds.
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Innovative, proven, high performance chromatography solutions for every stage of your workflow.
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Whether you are analyzing water or soil samples and require either automated or manual sample preparation, we have the right product for you
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We offer chromatography, mass spectrometry and software for all types of PFAS determinations, including targeted & untargeted screening
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Chemicals for PFAS testing
Our ultrahigh purity chemicals and reagents are suitable for both the sample preparation and analysis of PFAS compounds.
The following products are suitable for targeted and non-targeted detection methods (including global ASTM regulations, Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), EU Drinking Water Directive, and US EPA Methods 537, 537.1, 533, 8327, and 1633).
We recommend using our UHPLC-MS grade solvents for PFAS analysis, whether you are using HPLC or UHPLC as part of your testing protocol. These products do not contain fluoropolymer liners in the caps, eliminating leachable background interfering with PFAS analysis.
| Chemicals Product Description | Pack size | Catalog number |
|---|---|---|
| Acetonitrile, UHPLC-MS, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 1 L | A9561 |
| 6 x 1 L | A9561CS | |
| Methanol, UHPLC-MS, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 1 L | A9561CS |
| 6 x 1 L | A4581CS | |
| Water, UHPLC-MS, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 1 L | W81 |
| 6 x 1 L | W81CS | |
| Acetone, 99.6%, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 1 L |
423240010 |
Toluene, HPLC Grade, 99.7% min, Thermo Scientific Chemicals |
1 L | 610110040 |
| Dichloromethane, for residue and pesticide analysis, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 1 L | 326600010 |
| 2.5 L | 326600025 | |
Acetic acid, 50%, Thermo Scientific Chemicals |
5 L | 456870050 |
| Formic acid, 99%, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 25 mL | 270480250 |
| 1 L | 270480010 | |
| 2.5 L | 270480025 | |
| Ammonium acetate, 97%, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 250 g | A16343.30 |
| 1 kg | A16343.0B | |
| 5 kg | A16343.0I | |
| Ammonium hydroxide, ACS, 28.0-30.0% NH{3}, Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 250 g | 033285.30 |
| 1 kg | 033285.A1 | |
| 5 x 1 kg | 033285.D9 |
Consumables for PFAS testing
Columns
For high retentivity and large volume direct injections, a fully porous column such as AcclaimTM C18 has excellent peak shape for PFAS testing. For methods where smaller sample injection volumes are employed, AccucoreTM RP-MS is recommended.
| Consumable Type | Product Description | Pack size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isolator Column | Accucore C18 Column, 2.6 µm, 2.1 x 50 mm | 1 | 17126-052130 |
| Guard Cartridges | Acclaim 120 C18 Column C18, 5 µm, 10 mm v 2.1 mm, Guard Cartridge | 2 | 069689 |
| Guard holder | Acclaim 120 C18 Column C18, 5 µm, 10 mm v 2.1 mm, Guard Cartridge | 1 | 069689 |
| Column | Acclaim 120 C18 Column, 2 µm, 150 mm x 2.1 mm | 1 | 071399 |
| Column | Acclaim 120 C18 Column, 2 µm 2.1 mm x 100 mm |
1 | |
| Guard Cartridge | Accucore RP-MS, 10 mm x 2.1 mm GUARDS cartridges | 4 | 17626-012105 |
| Guard holder | UNIVERSAL UNIGUARD HOLDER FOR 2.1/3.0mm ID | 1 | |
| Column | Accucore RP-MS, 2.6 µm, 100 mm x 2.1 mm column | 1 | 17626-102130 |
| Column | Accucore RP-MS, 2.6 µm, 150 mm x 2.1 mm column | 1 |
17626-152130 |
Vials and well plates
To assure a robust method with accurate results, use a polypropylene or polyethylene vial. The importance of using highly inert materials for compounds containing chemical functional groups with strong electronegativity is imperative, particularly for analytes with lower concentrations like PFAS.
| Consumable Type | Screw vials and caps – for routine and research analyses | Pack size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vials | 0.4 mL Clear Polyethylene 9 mm Screw Microvials, Conical insert | 100 | 6ESV9-04PP |
| Vials | 1.5 mL Clear Polyethylene 9 mm Screw Microvials, Conical insert | 100 | 6ESV9-1PP |
| Caps | Clear Polyethylene 9 mm Screw Caps with integral polypropylene membrane | 100 | C5000-50 |
| Caps | Blue Polypropylene 9 mm Screw Caps with AVCS closure, Solid Aluminium Disk with Silicone sealing ring | 100 | C5000-56AL |
| Consumable Type | Snap vials and caps – for routine and research analyses | Pack size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vials | SureSTART 0.8 mL polypropylene snap top microvials, flat bottom | 100 | 6ERV11-08PPFB |
| Vials | SureSTART 0.8 mL polypropylene snap top microvials, conical insert | 100 | 6ERV11-08PPC |
| Vials | SureSTART 0.3 mL polypropylene snap top microvials, conical insert | 100 | 6ERV11-03PPC |
| Caps | SureSTART 11 mm snap caps with blue polyethylene septa | 100 | 6ERC11PE |
| Caps | SureSTART 9 mm Screw Caps, Level 1 Everyday Analysis | 100 | 6ESC9-50 |
| Caps | SureSTART 9 mm Screw Caps, Level 2 High-throughput Applications | 100 | 6ASC9SPI1 |
| Caps | SureSTART 11 mm Snap Caps, Level 2 High-throughput Applications | 100 | 6ARC11SPI1 |
| Consumable Type | Well plates and mats – for high throughput analysis | Pack Size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well plate | WebSeal 96-Well Deep Well Plates, Non-Coated Plastic, Round U-Bottom, 1000µL | 50 | 60180-P201 |
| Well plate mat | WebSeal 96-Well Plate Sealing Mat, 7 mm Diameter, Round | 100 | 60180-M179 |
| Well plate | WebSeal 96-Well Deep Well Plates, Non-Coated Plastic, Square V-Bottom, 2000µL | 50 | 60180-P202 |
| Well plate mat | WebSeal 96-Well Plate Sealing Mat, 8 mm Diameter, Square | 100 | 60180-M121 |
| Consumable Type | Vials and Closure PFAS kit | Pack Size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| SureSTART PFAS kit | 1.5 mL clear PP 9 mm screw ial, blue PP cap, white silicone/red polyimide septa 1.0 mm, specification certified, Level 2 | 100 | 6AKSV9PP-15PI |
| SureSTART PFAS kit | 0.8 mL clear PP snap vial 11 mm flat bottom insert, blue 11 mm blue polyethylene snap cap, white silicone/red polyimide 1.0 mm septa, specification certified, Level 2 | 100 | 6AKRV11PP-08PI |
| SureSTART PFAS kit | 0.8 mL clear PP snap vial 11 mm flat bottom insert, blue 11 mm blue polyethylene integral PE septum thinned penetration area, specification certified, Level 1 | 100 | 6EKRV11PP-08 |
| SureSTART PFAS kit | 1.5 mL clear PP 9 mm screw vial, clear short thread PP AVCS™ cap, clear polypropylene integral PP septum thinned penetration area, specfication certified, Level 1 | 100 | 6EKSV9PP-15 |
Sample Preparation
To assure a robust method with accurate results, use HyperSep SPE PFAS cartridges for sample extraction. These SPE cartridges are designed to address the needs of extraction and concentration of PFAS samples for targeted and non-targeted screening while minimizing background contamination.
| Consumable Type | Product Description | Pack Size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPE cartridge for water, tissue, soil, or biosolids (will require use of use carbon for clean up) | WAX SPE, PE Frits 150mg 6mL | 30 | 60107-150-6-WAX |
| SPE cartridge for wate | WAX GCB SPE, Dual Phase Cartridge, 50 mg GCB on bottom, 200 mg WAX top, 6ml tube | 30 | 60107-20050-WAXGCB |
| SPE cartridge for soil, tissue, biosolids | WAX GCB SPE, Dual Phase Cartridge, 50 mg GCB on top, 200 mg WAX bottom, 6ml tube | 30 | 60107-50200-GCBWAX |
| SPE cartridge for water | HLD SPE, 500mg 6mL | 30 | 60107-500-6-HLD |
| SPE cartridge for water | WAX SPE, 500mg 6mL | 30 | 60107-500-6-WAX |
| SPE cartridge for water | WAX SPE, 60mg 3mL | 50 | 60107-60-3-WAX |
| SPE cartridge for soil/water | WAX SPE, 200mg 6mL | 30 | 60107-200-6-WAX |
| SPE cartridge for water, soild, tissue or biosolid cleanup step only | Loose Carbon | 10 g | GCB-10 |
GC columns
The unique selectivities of these GC columns provide excellent chromatographic separation of the targets combined with Gaussian peak shapes.
| Consumable Type | Product Description | Pack Size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| GC Column | TraceGOLD TG-200MS, 30 m, 0.25 mm, 1.0 μm - Recommended for neutral or volatile PFAS analysis | 1 | 26084-2960 |
| GC Column | TraceGOLD TG-5SilMS, 30 m, 0.25 mm, 0.25 μm - Recommended for suspect screening and non-targeted analysis | 1 | 26096-1420 |
Accessories
To ensure best results, chose from accessories that are designed for PFAS analysis.
| Consumable Type |
Product Description | Pack Size | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| GC Liner | LinerGOLD SSL Liner*, Single Taper, wool, 4X6.5X78.5mm - Recommended for Splitless injection on S/SL Inlet | Pack of 5 | 453A1925-UI |
| GC Liner | LinerGOLD PTV Liner, Concentric baffles, 2X2.75X120mm - Recommended for Splitless injection on PTV Inlet for Thermo Scientific branded GC | Pack of 5 | 453T2845-UI |
| Gas filter | Super Clean Gas Cartridge Filter**, Helium preconditioned - Recommended for removing moisture, oxygen, and contaminants from gas sources | 1 | 60180-825 |
| LC syringe | Thermo Scientific SMART syringe, 10ul FN GT, 57mm, 22sG, LC - Recommended for LC injection | 1 | 365D35720-SM |
| LC syringe | Thermo Scientific SMART syringe, 100ul FN GT, 57mm, 22sG, LC - Recommended for LC injection or GC sample preparation | 1 | 365H35720-SM |
| LC syringe | Thermo Scientific SMART syringe, 1ml FN GT, 57mm, 22G, LC - Recommended for LC injection or GC sample preparation | 1 | 365K28110-SM |
| LC syringe | Thermo Scientific SMART syringe, 5ml RN GT, 57mm, 22G, LC - Recommended for LC injection or GC sample preparation | 1 | 365M35720-SM |
*SSL liner can be used for Thermo Scientific, Agilent, and PerkinElmer branded GC. **Gas cartridge filter is universal. More options and accessories are available.
Resources
Register to listen to our exclusive roundtable event where industry leaders in the field shared their experiences and discussed various topics to help PFAS analytical testing laboratories future-proof themselves in this constantly evolving area of environmental testing.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.