PFAS Testing for Water, Soil, Leachate and AFFF
Pace® provides PFAS testing for drinking water, wastewater, groundwater, landfill leachate, aqueous film-forming foam, soil, biota and other aqueous and solid matrices. Pace® is approved by the EPA for UCMR 3, UCMR 4, UCMR 5, and UCMR 6 accredited to ISO 17025, participates in The NELAC Institute (TNI), DoD ELAP and DOECAP-AP, and is certified in every state that operates a PFAS laboratory certification program. Reporting limits are set at or below program requirements, and Pace® participated in both single-laboratory and multi-laboratory validation studies of EPA PFAS and organic fluorine test methods. Rapid turnaround is available for every matrix.
Additionally, our experts help our customers protect the environment and their communities. Pace® works with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other groups. Together, we advance the science of PFAS testing and analysis.
Highlights of our PFAS testing capabilities and credentials include:
- PFAS testing for a wide range of aqueous and solid materials, including PFAS in drinking water, wastewater, landfill leachate, AFFF/F3, soil, biota, and more
- Certified/accredited by NELAC, ISO, DOD, DOE, and in every state with a PFAS lab certification program
- Drinking Water Centers of Excellence across the U.S.
- EPA-approved lab for UCMR 3, UCMR 4, UCMR 5 and UCMR 6
- Reporting limits at or below all program requirements
- Analysis of special compounds, including ultrashort-chain PFAS
- Participated in both single and multi-lab validation studies of EPA PFAS and Organic Fluorine test methods
- Ultrashort‑chain PFAS testing using a specialized direct‑inject LC‑MS/MS method for aqueous samples
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PFAS Testing Methods: EPA 1633A, 537.1 and 533
Pace® analyzes PFAS to the published EPA methods your program requires.
- EPA Method 537.1 covers 18 PFAS compounds in drinking water by solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS, and is the method specified for compliance monitoring under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- EPA Method 533 covers 25 PFAS compounds in drinking water, including shorter-chain compounds not captured by 537.1, using isotope dilution.
- EPA Method 1633A covers 40 PFAS compounds across non-potable matrices, including wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate and tissue.
- Ultrashort-chain PFAS are analyzed in aqueous samples by a specialized direct-injection LC-MS/MS method.
Which method applies depends on your matrix and your regulatory program, not on preference. Contact the laboratory before you sample if the requirement is not specified in your permit or work plan.
What Are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of synthetic compounds. People value them for their useful properties. For example, resistance to heat, water, and oil.
Therefore, for decades, these chemicals have been used to produce hundreds of industrial and consumer products. For example, these include non-stick surfaces, textiles, carpets, firefighting foams, electrical components, plastics, and more.
Importantly, PFAS are bioaccumulative, meaning they build up in the bloodstream and tissue. Studies have found connections between some PFAS compounds and health problems. For instance, these include chronic kidney disease, thyroid issues, low fertility rates, and some cancers.
PFAS Regulations: SDWA, NPDWR, CCL and UCMR 6
As people worry more about how PFAS affects human health, lawmakers create more rules and regulations. Therefore, these aim to assess and address PFAS in the environment. Today,
a wide range of state and federal regulations covers PFAS chemicals to protect public health. As a result, many of the primary programs are covered below.
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EPA recording and recordkeeping requirements.
Enacted in 1974, the SDWA grants the EPA the authority to set National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). Then, in 2023, regulators proposed limits for PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX Chemicals (HFPO-DA).
Further, the EPA issues health advisories for contaminants not yet regulated by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). Also, the EPA says these health advisories show the level of a contaminant in drinking water. This level is safe for health and does not cause bad effects over certain time periods, like 1 day, 10 days, or a lifetime.
Health authorities cannot enforce health advisories. However, state and federal agencies can use them. They can help guide PFAS rulemaking, like the NPDWR to improve community water systems.
The CCL is a list of contaminants. To be noted, these are not currently covered by any national drinking water rules.
However, they are known or expected to be found in public water systems. Therefore, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the EPA to publish a new CCL every five years. This list often provides insights into which compounds the EPA is considering for future rulemaking. Moreover, experts expect CCL6 to include PFAS chemicals, either individually or as a category.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) is designed to collect data on contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water but that do not yet have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A revised list of up to 30 contaminants is selected every five years. UCMR 6 is the sixth UCMR round to be implemented and is proposed to include testing requirements for Ultrashort-Chain PFAS/Organofluorine Compounds, Pesticides, Semi-VOCs, and VOCs.
CERCLA, or Superfund, allows the EPA to act quickly when hazardous substances are released or may be released. Following, the EPA intends to classify certain PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA. Once this happens, CERCLA gives the EPA the power to respond directly. Consequently, this includes issuing cleanup orders for any release or existing contamination.
The EPA describes ELGs (Effluent Limitations Guidelines) as national rules. Consequently, these rules rely on technology. They aim to control industrial wastewater that enters surface waters and public treatment plants.
Moreover, ELG Plan 15 calls for setting PFAS limits on wastewater discharges from landfills (including leachate). Once set, these will be the first ELGs for PFAS. Furthermore, the plan also calls for more studies on PFAS discharges from other sources.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) created the NPDES program in 1972. It regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters (WOTUS). Additionally, States can petition the EPA to administer their own NPDES program, and most states have received partial or full approval. Also, authorities authorize Tribal Lands separately.
Notably, four states, NH, NM, MD, and MA, as well as most U.S. territories continue to rely on the EPA for NPDES permitting. Therefore, in 2022, the EPA gave guidance that strongly encouraged adding PFAS limits in permits for wastewater and biosolids discharge.
Enacted in 1976, RCRA governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Therefore, designating PFAS as a hazardous substance under CERCLA gives the EPA the power to require cleanup.
However, designating PFAS as hazardous under RCRA gives the EPA much more control. This includes control over the entire lifecycle of PFAS: manufacturing, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal. In particular, listing PFAS under RCRA would also automatically designate it as a hazardous substance under CERCLA.
The TSCA forms the basis for the EPA's significant new use rule. In return, it gives the agency the power to approve or reject new uses for dangerous chemicals, including PFAS.
Additionally, authorities may issue Low-Volume Exemptions (LVEs) for PFAS imported or manufactured in low quantities. Therefore, the EPA plans to review past LVE decisions. They want companies to voluntarily give up their past exemptions.
The EPA toxicity assessments explain the adverse health effects of certain chemicals. They also show the exposure levels where these effects might happen. Furthermore, the EPA, federal agencies, state regulators, and local communities can use these assessments. Importantly, they help decide when to address possible health risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in 1986. Therefore, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) includes part of the legislation. As a result, TRI tracks toxic chemical releases from factories into the environment. In 2019, the TRI industry reporting requirements included the first PFAS, and many more have joined the list since then.
The TSCA grants the EPA the authority to establish reporting, record-keeping, and testing requirements for chemical compounds. Also, the EPA has the power from the TSCA. They expect PFAS manufacturers to pay for PFAS toxicity studies. Therefore, the EPA has started giving testing orders to the industry.
Pace® PFAS Treatability Studies
Our Pace® PFAS Treatability Studies help clients evaluate the effectiveness of technologies and strategies for PFAS removal, remediation, and destruction.
Therefore, by conducting a Treatability Study, environmental engineers and scientists can optimize remediation strategies, ensure regulatory compliance, and build public trust.
Matrices We Test for PFAS
Legacy AFFF, the Class B firefighting foam used to fight chemical fires, typically contains PFAS. To be noted, newer fluorine-free foams (F3) are not always PFAS-free either. With this purpose, Pace® keeps communities safe. We offer testing services for AFFF, F3, and materials that may experience effects. To be noted, this includes soil, surface water, and groundwater.
PFAS can become airborne in multiple ways. For example, waste incineration, stack emissions, and leachate evaporation. Therefore, once PFAS is airborne, it can contaminate surrounding communities. As a result, impacting soil, groundwater, surface water, and private drinking water wells.
PFAS has been discovered in milk, eggs, deer, fish, and more. Therefore, when humans consume these products, PFAS can build up in their bloodstream. Consequently, testing for PFAS in living things can be hard. However, Pace® has invested in the tools and knowledge to help our customers.
Notably, Pace® has developed several proven approaches for PFAS testing of consumer and industrial products.
UCMR 5 requires testing of many public water systems in 2023. Therefore, new limits on several PFAS in drinking water have started during the end of 2024. With this purpose, Pace® is an EPA-approved lab for UCMR 5 and credentialed in every state. Additionally, we provide PFAS water testing services to analyze PFAS in drinking water.
Many communities get their drinking water from underground aquifers or surface water. For example, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Therefore, Pace® provides PFAS water testing services to analyze PFAS in non-drinking water. Moreover, this helps local governments and industries with cleanup and control efforts.
The EPA found PFAS in 95% of the landfill leachate they tested. As a result, Leachate is likely a source of the contamination. Accordingly, Pace® provides leachate testing services for municipal, industrial, and private landfill operators.
Soil and sediment can become contaminated with PFAS from landfill leachate, wastewater discharge, biosolids, stormwater runoff, and more. With this in mind, Pace® offers PFAS testing for soil, sediment, and other solids. Additionally, this includes incinerator ash, which can spread PFAS to nearby neighborhoods.
Traditional wastewater treatment does not remove PFAS and can convert PFAS precursors into terminal PFAS. Therefore, biosolids produced from contaminated wastewater often contain PFAS as well. Moreover, Pace® provides testing services for wastewater influent and effluent, stormwater runoff, and biosolids.
Who Needs PFAS Testing
PFAS testing is requested by public water systems and municipalities meeting UCMR 6 and state monitoring requirements, environmental consultants and engineers running site investigations and remediation, landfill and wastewater operators characterizing leachate and effluent, airports and fire training facilities assessing aqueous film-forming foam impacts, and manufacturers screening products and process water.
PFAS Reports and Turnaround
PFAS reports identify the method, the analyte list, the analytical date and the reporting limit for every compound, at limits set to meet or beat your program requirement. Sampling containers and PFAS-free field supplies ship from the laboratory before your sampling event, since PFAS sampling is unusually sensitive to cross-contamination from ordinary field equipment. Rapid turnaround is available for every matrix. Contact the laboratory to confirm turnaround before you sample. Download the PFAS chain of custody form before your sampling event so your samples arrive with complete documentation.
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Additional PFAS Testing Resources
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Contact us directly or download our list of environmental certifications across our network.
On-Demand Webinar: US EPA UCMR 6 Proposal Issued – What’s Next
On-Demand Webinar: Navigating the Complexities of Testing for PFAS in Plant and Animal Tissue
On-Demand Webinar: Quantifying PFAS in Consumer and Related Products: The Latest Developments
On-Demand Webinar: Biosolids Analysis for PFAS: Challenges, Considerations, and Options
On-Demand Webinar: Is PFAS Sample Cross-contamination Caused By Sampling?
On-Demand Webinar: EPA PFAS Test Methods Are Now Final, What That Means for Wastewater and Solid Waste Professionals
On-Demand Webinar: US EPA Information Collection Rule (ICR) Proposal for PFAS and NPDES