Forest  with river from above | © AdobeStock_303068993
Area of Application

PFAS Analysis: Evidence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have special properties and are thus used in many industrial processes and products, such as textiles, household goods, firefighting, the automotive industry, food processing, construction, and electronics. The chemicals can now be found in the environment (rivers, lakes, soils) and in food (drinking water or other food). The substance group comprises more than 4,700 compounds, making it also an analytical challenge.

PFAS: Risks to Health

As a result of the effects on the immune system (e.g. due to a reduced immune response to vaccinations), this substance group is subject to continuous monitoring by the authorities, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The first bans have been announced.

Further information on risk assessment and the determination of a tolerable intake can be found here:

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

 

The Most Well-Known PFAS Substance Groups:

PFOS and PFOA

  • Perfluorinated alkyl sulfonates – best-known representative: Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
  • Perfluorinated carboxylic acids – best-known representative: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

These chemicals were commonly used for decades due to their physicochemical properties (thermally and chemically stable, both water and grease-repellent), for instance in fire extinguishing foams, in the production/impregnation of outdoor clothing, in ski waxes, in the coating of food packaging, in make-up and lipsticks, etc. – to name just a few areas of application. PFAS can thus be found everywhere: in water, in soils, in dust, in food, and ultimately also in human blood. 

Sample preparation
Contamination-free PFAS analysis in water, environmental samples, food with products from LCTech.

PFAS Workflow for Solid Samples

MIX-TRACTION, X-TRACTION | © LCTech GmbH
X-TRACTION PFAS or MIX-TRACTION 
For extraction.
D-EVA Vacuum Concentration | © LCTech GmbH
D-EVA 
For the sensor-controlled concentration of extracts.
FREESTYLE with figure 6 EluCLEAN columns | © LCTech GmbH
FREESTYLE SPE PFAS 
For clean-up (e.g. Dual-SPE). Ideal with the EluCLEAN SPE columns.
D-EVA Vacuum Concentration | © LCTech GmbH
D-EVA 
For sensor-controlled concentration to a few µL.
PFAS Product Overview

PFAS Workflow for Aqueous Samples

FREESTYLE  XANA with figure 6 EluCLEAN columns | © LCTech GmbH
FREESTYLE XANA PFAS 
Ideal with EluCLEAN PFAS SPE columns. Also available as TableTop.
D-EVA Vacuum Concentration | © LCTech GmbH
D-EVA
For sensor-controlled concentration to a few µL.

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