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Product Guide for PFAS Analysis

A Methods-Based Reference to Lab Supplies for PFAS Testing

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Selecting the Right Lab Supplies for PFAS Methods

When government agencies and other research organizations developed the first PFAS analysis methods, certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exhibited signal loss or enhancement based on how the samples were handled. These unexpected sources of error could occur anywhere in the sample pathway from collection to analysis and could lead to inaccurate quantification and reporting. Significant troubleshooting efforts from those pioneering organizations resulted in two primary observations that guide how we test these “forever chemicals” today.

  1. PFAS can be found everywhere—at the sampling site; in the analytical lab (even in instruments); and anywhere in between, so it is essential to prevent background sources from contaminating samples.
  2. PFAS can be “sticky”—they can adhere to certain materials that are commonly used in sampling and analysis (e.g., glass containers or pipettes), so everything in the sample flow path has to be considered for its ability to retain PFAS.

Due to these characteristics, avoiding background contamination and preventing loss due to retention are particularly important for PFAS testing. Regardless of the method you are running, best practices dictate evaluating your system and supplies prior to sample analysis to qualify them for use. In some cases, the results may warrant equipment modification or replacement of parts to ensure suitability for the analytes and LODs you are testing. The following sampling and lab supplies are often screened prior to use:

  • Sample collection vessels
  • Solid phase extraction (SPE) products
  • SPE vacuum manifolds
  • Filtration devices
  • Autosampler vials and caps
  • Mobile phase filters
  • Mobile phase transfer lines
  • PTFE tubing and filters used in UHPLC or HPLC instruments (e.g., mobile phase degasser, LC pump components, etc.)
  • Mobile phase solvents and reagents
  • LC columns
  • Anything else in the sample flow path

Table I details the lab supplies for PFAS analysis that are used in test methods from ASTM, DIN, EPA, and ISO. When selecting the right supplies, be sure to choose method-appropriate products and evaluate your system and supplies to ensure they are free of target analytes (Table II) and qualified for PFAS analysis at the levels required by the method. Restek is proud to support PFAS testing labs with clean, high-quality lab supplies and expert technical support for the analysis of legacy, alternative, and ultrashort-chain PFAS across a wide range of global testing standards.

Table I: Lab Supplies for PFAS Analysis by Method

  U.S. EPA 537.1 U.S. EPA 533 U.S. EPA 1633 U.S. EPA 8327
Sample Matrix Drinking Water Drinking Water Water, Solids, Biosolids, Tissue Various Waters & Solids (Soil, Sediment, Biota)
Analytical LC Column

Raptor C18 50 x 2.1 mm , 2.7 μm, (cat.# 9304A52), SPP column
Force C18 50 x 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm (cat.# 9634252), FPP column
Raptor Polar X 50 x 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm,  (cat.# 9311A52) SPP column, for ultrashort-chain PFAS analysis
(Refer to our PFAS Column Selection Guide for other column choices.)

Delay Column PFAS Delay Column (cat.# 27854)
Reference Standards

EPA 537.1 PFAS Calibration Standard (18 components)
(cat.# 30735)

EPA 533 PFAS Calibration Standard (25 components)
(cat.# 30736)

PFAS Calibration Standard (24 components)
(cat.# 30733)**
Sample Prep Resprep S-DVB SPE (cat.# 28937) Resprep WAX SPE (60 μm particle cat.# 28470; 30 μm particle cat.# 28291, 28292) Resprep WAX SPE (60 μm particle cat.# 28470; 30 μm particle cat.# 28291, 28292); and Dispersive Carbon††
Vials and Caps Polypropylene Vials (cat.# 23242, 23245)
Polyethylene Vial Caps (cat.# 23244, 23247)
Vacuum Manifold Resprep QR-12, QR-24 (cat.# 28298-VM, 28299-VM)
Replacement Parts for Resprep Quick-Release (QR) SPE Vacuum Manifolds
Vacuum Pump Rocker Vacuum Pumps
Sample Reservoirs Polypropylene Sample Reservoir (cat.# 26015)
Polypropylene Connectors (cat.# 26007)

  ISO 25101 ISO 21675 ASTM D7979 ASTM D7968 DIN 38407-42
Sample Matrix Drinking Water, Groundwater, Surface Water Drinking Water, Natural Water, Wastewater* Water, Sludge, Influent, Effluent, Wastewater Solids (e.g., soil) Drinking Water, Groundwater, Surface Water, Wastewater, Sludge
Analytical LC Column Raptor C18 50 x 2.1 mm , 2.7 μm, (cat.# 9304A52), SPP column
Force C18 50 x 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm (cat.# 9634252), FPP column
Raptor Polar X 50 x 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm,  (cat.# 9311A52) SPP column, for ultrashort-chain PFAS analysis
(Refer to our PFAS Column Selection Guide for other column choices.)
Delay Column PFAS Delay Column (cat.# 27854)
Reference Standards
Sample Prep Resprep WAX SPE (60 μm particle cat.# 28469, 28470; 30 μm particle cat.# 28291, 28292) Resprep WAX SPE (60 μm particle cat.# 28469, 28470; 30 μm particle cat.# 28291, 28292) Resprep WAX SPE (60 μm particle cat.# 28468, 28469, 28470; 30 μm particle cat.# 28291, 28292)
Vials and Caps Polypropylene Vials (cat.# 23242, 23245)
Polyethylene Vial Caps (cat.# 23244, 23247)
Vacuum Manifold Resprep QR-12, QR-24 (cat.# 28298-VM, 28299-VM)
Replacement Parts for Resprep Quick-Release (QR) SPE Vacuum Manifolds
Vacuum Pump Rocker Vacuum Pumps
Sample Reservoirs Polypropylene Sample Reservoir (cat.# 26015)
Polypropylene Connectors (cat.# 26007)
Polypropylene Sample Reservoir (cat.# 26015)
Polypropylene Connector (cat.# 26007)

*Containing less than 2 g/L solid particulate material.
Ideal for <C4 PFAS. No official testing standards are available.
Additional PFAS standards are available.
**Meets EPA 8372 method requirements.
††Not Available.

Table II: PFAS Compound Lists by Method

U.S. EPA 537.1 U.S. EPA 533 U.S. EPA 1633 U.S. EPA 8327
• N-ethyl perfluorooctane-sulfonamidoacetic acid (NEt-FOSAA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctane-sulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)
• 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)
• 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
• Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)
• Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)
• Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)
• Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)
• 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluoropentansulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NMeFOSA)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NEtFOSA)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)
• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
• Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
• Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)
• Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)
• Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)
• Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoethanol (NMeFOSE)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoethanol (NEtFOSE)
• Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
• 3-Perfluoropropyl propanoic acid (3:3FTCA)
• 2H,2H,3H,3H-Perfluorooctanoic acid (5:3FTCA)
• 3-Perfluoroheptyl propanoic acid (7:3FTCA)
• N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamidoacetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)
• N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA )
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (FOSA)
• 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)
• 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)
• 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)
• Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
 
ISO 25101 ISO 21675 ASTM D7979 & D7968 DIN 38407-42
• Perfluoro-n-octanesulfonic acid
• Perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (pentadecafluoro-noctanoic acid)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (N-EtFOSAA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA)
• Perfluoro-n-butanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoro-n-dodecanoic acid (PFDoDA)
• Perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluoro-n-hexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluoro-n-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluoro-n-tetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)
• Perfluoro-n-tridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
• Perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid (PFUnDA)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• Perfluoro-n-butanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluoro-n-decanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluoro-n-heptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
• 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA)
• 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTSA)
• 8:2 Fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acid (8:2 FTUCA)
• 8:2 Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diester (8:2 diPAP)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-MeFOSA)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-EtFOSA)
• Perfluoro-n-hexadecanoic acid (PFHxDA)
• Perfluoro-n-octadecanoic acid (PFOcDA)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS, aka F-53B or 6:2CL-PFESA)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (DONA)
• Perfluorobutylsulfonate (PFBS)
• Perfluorodecanoate (PFDA)
• Perfluorodecanoate (PFDoA)
• Perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA)
• Perfluorohexylsulfonate (PFHxS)
• Perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA)
• Perfluorononanoate (PFNA)
• Perfluorooctylsulfonate (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoate (PFTreA)
• Perfluorotridecanoate (PFTriA)
• Perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnA)
• Perfluorobutanoate (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoate (PFPeA)
• 2H-perfluoro-2-decenoic acid (FOUEA)
• Decaluoro-4-(pentafluoroethyl) cyclohexanesulfonate (PFecHS)
• 2-Perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid (FHEA)
• 2-Perfluorooctyl ethanoic acid (FOEA)
• 2-Perfluorodecyl ethanoic acid (FDEA)
• 3-Perfluoropheptyl propanoic acid (FHpPA)
• 2H-perfluoro-2-octenoic acid (FHUEA)
• Perfluoro-n-butanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluoro-n-hexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluoro-n-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluoro-n-butanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid (PFPeA)

 

 

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