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Home ›› About Speciation ›› Speciation News

Standard Methods for the Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

(11.03.2025)

The analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) is a crucial part of environmental testing, given their persistence and potential health impacts. Several standard methods are used for detecting and quantifying PFAS in various matrices (like water, soil, and biota).

Recent changes in PFAS regulations reflect growing global concern over their environmental and health impacts:

United States: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS in drinking water. For example, PFOA and PFOS are now limited to 4 parts per trillion (ppt), while other compounds like PFHxS and PFNA have stricter limits
European Union: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is evaluating a proposal to impose sweeping restrictions on over 10,000 PFAS compounds across all sectors. This includes stricter controls on their use in products like textiles, cosmetics, and food packaging.
Canada: Health Canada has issued new objectives for PFAS in drinking water, aiming to set maximum levels for certain compounds. This interim measure addresses health concerns while more comprehensive guidelines are being developed.

These changes highlight a global trend toward stricter monitoring, testing, and restrictions on PFAS to mitigate their risks.

Using standard methods for PFAS analysis is essential for several reasons:

1. Accuracy and Reliability

Standard methods (like EPA, ASTM, and ISO) are scientifically validated and peer-reviewed, ensuring the results are accurate and reproducible.
They outline strict protocols for sample collection, preparation, and analysis, reducing the risk of contamination or errors.

2. Comparability of Data

Using standardized techniques means results from different labs or studies can be directly compared.
This is crucial for regulatory monitoring, trend analysis, and collaborative research since consistency allows for meaningful comparisons.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Many governments and agencies (like the U.S. EPA or European Environment Agency) require adherence to specific methods for PFAS testing.
Non-compliance can result in legal penalties or rejection of test results for environmental permits, site assessments, or public health studies.

4. Detection of a Broad Range of PFAS

These methods cover a wide variety of PFAS compounds — both long-chain and short-chain — ensuring no major contaminants are overlooked.
Advanced methods like EPA Draft Method 1633 even include emerging PFAS compounds, keeping up with evolving science.

5. Sensitivity and Specificity

PFAS are often present at ultra-trace levels (parts per trillion, ppt), so methods like LC-MS/MS specified in these standards offer the sensitivity needed for accurate detection.
They also help distinguish between different PFAS species, preventing false positives or inaccurate quantification.

6. Legal and Scientific Credibility

Standardized methods add credibility to lab reports, making them more likely to be accepted in court cases, regulatory filings, and scientific publications.
They build trust with stakeholders — whether it’s regulators, companies, or the public.

7. Quality Assurance and Control (QA/QC)

These methods include strict QA/QC procedures — like using blank samples, matrix spikes, and surrogate standards — ensuring the data quality is high.
This helps identify and correct for any contamination or loss during the sampling and analysis process.

Michael Sperling

The following standard methods are available:

International Standard Methods

ASTM Methods:

ASTM D7968-23

Focus: PFAS analysis for soil
Technique: LC-MS/MS after solvent extraction and filtration
Link: https://www.astm.org/d7968-23.html

ASTM D7979-20

Focus: PFAS in water, soils, and biosolids.
Technique: Direct injection LC-MS/MS using MRM.
Link: https://www.astm.org/d7979-20.html

ASTM D8421-22

Focus: Determining PFAS in air samples.
Technique: Air sampling with adsorbent tubes and analysis via LC-MS/MS.
Link: https://www.astm.org/d8421-22.html

ISO Methods:

ISO 21675:2019

Focus: PFAS in drinking water using solid-phase extraction and LC-MS/MS.
Technique: Solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (Lc-MS/MS)
Note: Provides an internationally recognized framework for PFAS analysis.
Link: https://www.iso.org/standard/71338.html

ISO 23702-1:2023

Focus: PFAS analysis for leather
Technique: Methanol extraction followed by LC-MS/MS
Link: https://www.iso.org/standard/83413.html

US American PFAS Testing Methods

EPA Methods:

EPA Method 533

Focus: 25 Short-chain PFAS (C4-C12), including perfluorinated acids, sulfonates, fluorotelomers and poly/perfluorinated ether carboxylic acid in drinking water.
Technique: Isotope dilution anion exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in MRM mode.
Note: The method 533 will allow EPA to consider additional PFAS for monitoring under the fifth Ungregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.
Link: https://www.epa.gov/dwanalyticalmethods/method-533-determination-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-drinking-water-isotope

EPA Method 537

Focus: Determination of 14 PFAS in Drinking Water
Technique: solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Note: This is referenced for historical purposes only. Method 537 was updated in 2018 to Method 537.1 (see below).
Link: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?Lab=NERL&dirEntryID=198984

EPA Method 537.1

Focus: Selected long-chain PFAS (C4-C18, 18 compounds including HFPO-DA, one component of the GenX processing aid technology) in drinking water.
Technique: Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and LC-MS/MS with internal standards.
Note: Method 537.1 was updated in 2020 to version 2.0. The only updates were editorial. The method is often modified by analytical laboratories for use on non-drinking water samples. If modifications are not explicitly listed in the Method 537.3, the modified method is not considered conform by EPA. The most common modification is inclusion of isotope dilution.
Link: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?dirEntryId=348508&
Lab=CESER&simpleSearch=0&showCriteria=2&searchAll=537.1
&TIMSType=&dateBeginPublishedPresented=03%2F24%2F2018

EPA Method 8327

Focus: 24 PFAS in non-potable waters (surface water, groundwater, wastewater).
Technique: Direct injection LC-MS/MS with MRM and external standard calibration.
Note: Finds a balance between sensitivity, ease of implementation, and monitoring requrements. Minimizing sample transfers, extractions, filter steps, chemical additions (e.g., pH adjustements).
Link: https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846/sw-846-test-method-8327-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-liquid-chromatographytandem

EPA Method 1633A (latest development)

Focus: Broad range of 40 PFAS in various matrices (water, soil, sediment, biosolids, tissue).
Technique: Advanced LC-MS/MSin MRM mode with isotopically labeled standards added prior to extraction, cleanup with carbon and SPE cartridges.
Importance: Covers a more extensive range of PFAS compounds and is expected to become a standard for multiple sample types. Performance-based
Link: https://www.epa.gov/cwa-methods/cwa-analytical-methods-and-polyfluorinated-alkyl-substances-pfas#method-1633

Other Test Method (OTM)-45

Focus: Measurement of 50 PFAS in air emissions from stationary sources. This method focuses on semivolatile and particulate-bound PFAS.
Technique: LC-MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)
Note: EPA intends for the scientific community to provide feedback on OTM-45.
Link: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/
other-test-method-45-rev1-final-1-14-25.pdf

Other Test Method (OTM)-50

Focus: 30 PFAS in air emissions from stationary sources. This method focuses on certain volatile PFAS.
Technique: using passivated stainless-steel canisters
Note: EPA intends for the scientific community to provide feedback on OTM-50.
Link: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/otm-50-release-1-r1.pdf

EPA Rule UCMR 5

Focus: Monitoring of 30 contaminants (29 PFAS and lithium) in public drinking water systems
Technique: WAX and S-DVB solid-phase extraction followed by LC-MS/MS using EPA Methods 533 and 537.1
Link: https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule#scope

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook (USDA CLG):

USDA CLG-PFAS 2.04

Focus: Analysis of 16 PFAS in bovine, porcine, poultry, Siluriformes muscle samples, and in bovine plasma samples.
Technique: Methanol-based protein precipitation extraction followed by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis on a C18 column.
Note: The method is performance based and allows equivalent equipment, reagents, or solutions to be used, and some instrument parameters can be optimized as detailed in the method to improve chromatography and detection.
Link: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/CLG-PFAS2.04.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Laboratory Procedures

CDC 6304.09

Focus: 15 PFAS Analysis for Serum
Technique: online solid-phase extraction follwed by turbo ion spray LC-MS/MS analysis
Note: PFOS is analyzed separately as n-perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS) and the sum of perfluoromethylheptane sulfonate isomers (sm-PFOS). Similarly, PFOA is analyzed as separately as n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) and the sum of branched perfluorooctanoate isomers (sb-PFOA).
Link: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/public/2019/labmethods/PFAS-K-Met-508.pdf

U.S. Food & Drug Adminstration (FDA): Foods Program Compendium of Analytical Methods

FDA C-010.03

Focus: Determination of 30 PFAS in Food and Feed
Technique: QuEChERS, filtration, solid-phase extraction followed by LC-MS/MS analysis on a C18 column
Note: The method also uses LC-HRMS for verification of PFBA and PFPeA detection in order to address the potential for false positives due to matrix interferences since these compounds each have only one MS/MS transition.
Link: https://www.fda.gov/media/131510/download

European PFAS Testing Methods:

EN Methods:

EN 17681-1

Focus: Detection and quantification of selected extractable perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances in textile materials (fibres, yarns, fabrics) and coated fabrics.
Technique: Liquid chromatography (LC)
Link: https://standards.globalspec.com/std/14565008/en-17681-1

EN 17681-2

Focus: Determination of volatile organic fluorine compounds in textiles and textile products
Technique: extraction followed by gas chromatography
Link: https://standards.globalspec.com/std/14565007/en-17681-2

EN 17892:2024

Focus: Selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water
Technique: LC-MS/MS
Link: https://genorma.com/en/standards/en-17892-2024

German PFAS Testing Methods

DIN Methods:

DIN 38407-42 (F42)

Focus: Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in drinking water, groundwater, surface water and treated waste water
Technique: High performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC/MS-MS) after solid-liquid extraction
Note: Investigating bodies/laboratories mostly cite a quantitication limit in soil eluates of 5 to 10 ng/l for single compounds; in some cases quantitication limits of 1 ng/l are achievable.
Link: https://www.dinmedia.de/de/norm/din-38407-42/137282966

DIN 38414-14 (S14)

Focus: Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in sludge, compost and soil
Technique: High performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS/MS)
Note: The method’s lower limit of quantitation and detection is given as 10 μg/kg. Quantitication limits for individual substances currently range from 1 to 10 μg/kg, and 0.1 μg/kg in exceptional cases. A lower limit of quantitation and detection of 0.1 μg/kg is required to determine the background contamination of soils (ubiquitous contamination).
Link: https://www.dinmedia.de/de/norm/din-38414-14/142612398

French PFAS Testing Methods

AFNOR XP X43-126

Focus: Determination of 49 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from fixed emission sources
Technique: Based on OTM-45
Link: https://www.boutique.afnor.org/en-gb/standard/xp-x43126/stationary-sources-emissions-sampling-and-analysis-of-polar-semivolatile-pe/fa209033/429928

Related Information

AccuStandard: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Standards (PFAS)

This website is informing about available standards and standard mixtures for the calibration of methods.

BMUV: Guidelines for PFAS assessment : Last updated: 21 January 2022

These guidelines inform about all aspects of German standard methods for PFAS analysis.

EPA: PFAS Analytical Methods Development and Sampling Research

This site informs about all aspects of US EPA standard methods for PFAS analysis

LGC: PFAS Research Chemicals & Reference Materials Hub

This website is informing about available standards and standard mixtures for the calibration of methods.

Sigma Aldrich: PFAS Testing Methods and Guidance for Sample Filtration

This site informs about products for sample filtration related to PFAS standard methods.

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC): PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document

This site informs about all aspects of US standard methods for PFAS analysis

Related EVISA News (newest first):

March 4, 2025: Techniques for the determination of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

March 4, 2025: Typical Challenges for PFAS Analysis

February 23, 2025: France's parliament has voted to limit the production and sale of some products containing PFAS, including cosmetics and clothing

January 21, 2020: Analysis of perfluorinated compounds by HPLC-ICP-MS/MS

last time modified: March 13, 2025

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