Drinking Water

PFAS Testing for Drinking Water Systems

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," pose certain health risks to consumers in drinking water, which is why it's in your best interest to test drinking water systems to mitigate the risk of exposure to these chemicals. Reliable PFAS drinking water testing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings can continuously check for the presence of these chemicals and help proactively remove them to produce safe water for consumption.

DOD Labs offers PFAS water analysis solutions to keep drinking water free of these chemicals and other potential contaminants.

PFAS Risks in Drinking Water

Since the 1940s, many industries have used PFAS for various applications, with thousands of these chemical types in existence. While PFAS is commonplace, there are certain health risks associated with forever chemicals.

Public Health and Regulatory Drivers

There are several potential health issues that studies have linked to PFAS, such as:

• Low birth weight, behavioral changes, and other developmental impacts on children
• Higher blood pressure in pregnant women, decreased fertility, and other reproductive harm
• Hormonal interference
• Increased cancer risk, such as a higher risk of testicular, kidney, and prostate cancer
• Higher risk of obesity or increased cholesterol
• Immunodeficiency

The risks of exposure to PFAS in various environments have made it crucial for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other organizations to encourage and enforce the regulation of PFAS content in drinking water and other sources.

EPA Method 533 Drinking Water Analysis

To accurately measure the levels of PFAS in drinking water, many systems use the EPA 533 PFAS testing method. This method specifically uses solid phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to measure various analytes in drinking water.

Analytes Measured and Reporting Limits

This particular method can measure numerous analytes, including:

• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid
• Perfluorobutanoic acid
• Perfluorodecanoic acid
• Perfluorohexanoic acid
• Perfluorooctanoic acid

The reporting limits for this method are low to help ensure detection at even the lowest levels, typically measuring short-chain PFAS at around two to 20 parts per trillion.

Detection at Parts-Per-Trillion Levels

To maximize effectiveness, drinking water analysis should be able to measure PFAS at parts per trillion (ppt), which detects one gallon of contaminant for every trillion gallons of water.

Limits of Quantification and Result Interpretation

Because the measure of ppt is so low, you must implement specialized analytical tools and methods to detect and properly analyze PFAS at this level.

Sample Collection and Laboratory Processing

Testing kits collect a sample, which you can then submit for processing within a laboratory setting.

Field Kits and Laboratory Workflow

Certain field kits are available that can perform PFAS water analysis in accordance with the EPA 533 PFAS method of measurement and analysis. With the right company like DOD Labs, you can get fast turnaround time with accurate results to maintain efficiency.

Regulatory-Ready Reporting

DOD Labs provides in-depth reporting following testing to help ensure your water levels meet regulatory compliance under the EPA.

Data Use for Compliance and Monitoring Programs

We collect the data necessary to facilitate consistent compliance with monitoring programs available to consistently conduct PFAS water analysis and mitigate the risk of dangerous levels of PFAS exposure.

Accurate PFAS Testing for Drinking Water From DOD Labs

When you work with the experts at DOD Labs, you'll benefit from prompt and reliable PFAS drinking water testing based on your specific needs, whether for a residential, commercial, or industrial space. Our comprehensive reports can give you clear insight into your organization's performance and ability to maintain regulatory compliance, determining whether drinking water is safe for processing and consumption.

For more information about our capabilities and to get started with PFAS water analysis for your facility, Contact us today to connect with one of our experts.