Analysis and detection of PFAS
Analysis and detection of PFAS in the environment and food for over 10 years.
What is a PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of over 4000 chemical compounds. Since the 1950s, these substances have been widely used and appreciated by industry for their non-stick, waterproofing and heat-resistant properties.
These substances are also called "eternal pollutants" because PFAS molecules are persistent and degrade only with great difficulty in the environment. As a result, they are subject to various special European regulations.
To comply with these regulatory constraints and act responsibly, PFAS analysis is nowadays necessary for a large number of industrial companies. To carry out the controls of your samples, you must call upon an experienced analysis laboratory equipped with the necessary measuring tools.
WESSLING analyses all types of matrices for per- and polyfluorinated substances
For more than 10 years, we have been carrying out analyses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our independent laboratories. Whether it is clean or waste water, soil, sediment or food, we adapt the analytical methods and detect possible PFAS in your sample.
In this context, we are able to detect the 20 molecules of the European Directive of 16/12/2020.
Our analytical services and our service
- Accredidated* sampling if needed (*COFRAC accreditation n° 1-6579, see www.cofrac.fr for scope)
- Provision of the appropriate bottle for sampling
- Research and quantification of molecules by LC/MS-MS
- Accredidated* analysis for water (*COFRAC accreditation n° 1-1364, see www.cofrac.fr for scope)
- Method with AOF index
- Coming soon: TOP Assay
Reminder: the European regulations concerning PFAS
- The European Union Water Framework Directive of 12 August 2013: This directive identifies PFOS as a priority hazardous substance and sets its limit value in surface waters at 0.65 ng/L.
- Since 4/7/2020, the Stockholm International Convention, to reduce the use of persistent organic pollutants in the EU, bans the use of PFOAs.
- The European Directive of 16 December 2020 concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption. This directive describes the sum of 20 PFAs and sets the environmental quality standard at 100 ng/L.
PFAS, PFOS, PFOA... What are their links?
The term PFAS refers to a family of molecules. These include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These are the best-known PFASs.
The use of PFOS has been regulated since 2006, and PFOA has been banned for many uses since June 2020.
