The Best Vials To Use for PFAS Testing

What Are PFAS?

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are man-made chemicals that have been widely used in many industries, but they are especially notable in food containers, outdoor gear, and firefighting foams. The most commonly produced and studied forms of PFAS are PFOA and PFAS. These forms of PFAS were produced for their ability to resist heat, water, and oils. These are very useful properties in nonstick cookware, camping equipment, and other surfaces. PFAS are also widely used in materials such as PTFE, which is important to note when discussing PFAS analysis in the lab—more on that later.

Why Are PFAS Bad?

There is increasing evidence that exposure to PFAS can cause reproductive and developmental issues, as well as liver, kidney, and immunological effects in humans and animals. Furthermore, PFAS are very persistent and do not break down, so they easily accumulate in the body over time. This is what has led to the use of the term “forever chemicals.” An environmental concern is PFAS buildup in watershed areas. This is a worry for wildlife habitats and also for humans consuming contaminated drinking water. Government regulations are increasing mandates for testing various materials produced within the United States to ensure there are no traces of PFAS—or that the traces found are below certain legal limits.

Considerations for PFAS Analysis

Most environmental laboratories that do PFAS testing use the LC/MS/MS methods provided by the EPA, although some labs do use GC/MS. PFAS can be found everywhere, from the sampling site to the lab, and even the instruments being used for testing, so it is important to prevent contamination of the samples. When testing for PFAS, some labs have found discrepancies in their results due to PFAS contamination from the laboratory instruments and consumables. Ensuring that laboratory equipment and consumables are free from PFAS contamination is extremely important for accurate analysis.

As mentioned earlier, PFAS materials can be found in PTFE products. As you are likely aware, PTFE is a common polymer used in chromatography consumables such as HPLC vials and caps, tubing, filters, and fittings.

So, What Vials Should I Use?

We offer a complete line of vials and closures suitable for PFAS testing. Our offerings include 9 mm screw thread vial options along with 11 mm crimp top options, along with corresponding PTFE-free septa and caps. Our polypropylene vials work in most autosamplers and are lightweight and economical alternatives to glass vials. They are manufactured from chemical-resistant polypropylene, so they are ideal for PFAS sampling, testing, storing, and transporting.

Conclusion

PFAS chemicals, or forever chemicals, are known to build up over time and lead to health concerns in humans and other animals. When testing for PFAS, it is important to eliminate contamination sources from instruments and consumables. Chrom Tech’s complete line of vials and closures for PFAS testing, along with other PFAS-free consumables, provides a one-stop shop for your chromatography needs. Lastly, our Agilent and Restek HPLC columns are great options for PFAS separation. Reach out to our support team for more information on PFAS analysis.