Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS)

We offer high-capacity drinking water analysis in support of proposed EPA regulatory MCL limits and US state limits. Our reporting limits in drinking water are significantly lower than EPA requirements.

• EPA 537.1
• EPA 533

We offer fully accredited DoD QSM compliant PFAS analysis using EPA 1633 in aqueous, solids, tissue and AFFF samples to support all your DoD project needs. SGS was one of the first commercial laboratories to be accredited under the DoD QSM framework for PFAS and the first network to achieve EPA 1633 accreditation. Our 6 accredited locations provide you the most versatile network whether you need high-capacity low TAT analysis or highly specialized, low reporting limit analysis.

Measurement options include

• EPA 1633
• Non-accredited screening/fast TAT options using EPA 8421, EPA8535
• AFFF product testing to meet the new fluorine-free MILSPEC requirements

We offer a variety of PFAS solutions from ultra-low reporting limits for ambient monitoring to high-capacity low TAT measurement for contaminated sites and due diligence work. We are fully accredited in aqueous, solids, tissue and serum analysis and can support complex multi-year, multi-compartment studies on ambient monitoring. Our range of analytical solutions for contaminated sites and ambient monitoring include:

• EPA 1633 by LC-MS/MS
• The total oxidizable precursor assay (TOP)
• Organic fluorine measurements including AOF, EOF and total fluorine using Method 1621 and in-house methods
• ASTM D8421, D8535, EPA 8327

With our 2 decades of PFAS experience and deep stable of PFAS experts, SGS is your trusted partner to provide you with accurate and appropriate data to test, pilot and commercialize your remediation technologies. We can partner with you on your SERDP/ESTCP grants, provide customizations on standard analyses, and more! Our options include

• EPA 1633 for comprehensive accredited analysis
• ASTM D8421/D8535 for quick screening LC-MS/MS results in 3 days to achieve rapid benchmarking of your remediation approaches
• The total oxidizable precursor assay (TOP)
• Organic fluorine measurements including AOF, EOF and total fluorine using Method 1621 and in-house methods
• TCLP/SPLP leaching, column testing and more
• Air methods including OTM-45 and OTM-50
• Expert guidance on customization

We have supported nationwide wastewater treatment plant occurrence and mass balance studies on PFAS for 15+ years, and as PFAS moves to a regulated contaminant with NPDES requirements, we are here for all your wastewater, sludge and biosolids work. Our recommended approaches include

• EPA 1633 LC-MS/MS and other methods as needed
• TCLP/SPLP leaching, column testing and more
• EPA 1621 AOF, EOF and total fluorine
• Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOP)

We have supported large-scale tissue and serum studies since 2004 across North America and are an unquestioned leader in tissue analysis. Worried about bile acids interferences in your tissue, egg or milk samples? We have incorporated bile acid checks in our PFAS methods since 2009, and they are now incorporated into EPA 1633 as well. Our human testing experience dates back to the C8 project in West Virginia and we have supported large nationwide studies, legal settlement monitoring and more. Our approaches include

• EPA 1633 LC-MS/MS for routine tissue monitoring
• Ultra-low pg/mL measurement in cow’s milk and breast milk using modified EPA 1633 approaches
• Confirmation of detects of targets such as 7:3 FTCA, PFBA and all 1633 list using our new high resolution mass spectrometry platform

Our experienced scientist team and 2 decades of PFAS work mean we are well equipped to be your development and customization partner. With a dedicated and fully resourced development team, we can offer clear development and validation deadlines and deliverables not dependent on busy operations schedules and more. Our methods almost always incorporate analytical best practices such as isotope dilution from the beginning and are designed to perform large-scale studies under ISO-17025 or equivalent standards. Over the years we have developed methods for the US EPA, DoD and multiple commercial entities. We continue to push the envelope on PFAS analytical leadership with peer-reviewed articles and presentations on PFAS issues including subsampling/adsorption of PFAS, filtration issues, stability of PFAS, interferences in tissue analysis and more.

• Developer of EPA 1633
• Unquestioned leader on method development for the US EPA
• Industry leading PFAS experts for project support and customization

When you need to dig deeper for source attribution, PFAS fate or fingerprinting, we have availability of a number of analytical tools at your disposal. They include

• High-resolution mass spectrometry for non target analysis (NTA), fingerprinting/forensics and confirmation testing
• A Quality Enhanced Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOP) for understanding of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors
• EPA 1621 AOF by CIC and other organic fluorine methods to assess organic and total fluorine
• Ultrashort PFAS including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)
• Fluorotelomer alcohols
• Branched PFAS estimation for assessing manufacturing methods and source identification
• Access to 90 specific PFAS using our ever-expanding PFAS target lists

• OTM-45 Analysis to support stack emissions testing
• High volume ambient air analysis for semivolatile PFAS at pg/m³ levels
• OTM-50 volatile PFAS

• AFFF product testing to meet the new fluorine-free MILSPEC
• Industrial and consumer products target and fluorine testing