Practical Challenges in PFAS Extraction for Water Samples and How to Address Them

Analyzing perfluoro and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples down to sub-ppt quantitative levels is not a trivial exercise as the analyst will soon discover how ubiquitous these chemicals are in our environment. To achieve good analytical results that represent what is in the sample and not the surrounding environment requires special handling techniques and precautions, selection of solvents/reagents, along with configuration/ modification to the sample preparation equipment and LCTQ analysis system.

In this talk we’ll review what PFAS is, how pervasive it is, and why it is important to monitor. This will be followed by a discussion of some of the PFAS specific problems we have encountered and the practical solutions we have implemented during our investigation into US EPA method 537.1, US EPA method 533 and ISO Method 21675 over the last few years.

This practical, experience-based webinar will be useful for anyone involved in or performing method development for PFAS in aqueous matrices using a range of methods.

Key learning outcomes:

• You will gain more information on the pervasiveness of PFAS compounds in a typical extraction laboratory and the steps that can and should be undertaken to combat them.
• You will understand the process that was used to generate data, which follows three key SPE methods: US EPA method 537.1, US EPS method 533, and ISO method 21675.

Presenter: Bill Jones (Director of Chemical R&D, Biotage LLC)

Bill has been with Biotage for 19 years. Here he has been involved with the development, design and testing of SPE disks, membrane drying consumables along with development of automated evaporation and separation instrumentation and working with the EPA to incorporate the technology developed into EPA methods.