PFAS analysis

To support industry partners in the POPFREE Industry project with their PFAS mapping, new analytical methods were needed to capture PFAS as a group, including polymeric PFAS often present in products and chemical formulations where PFAS has been intentionally added for functionality.

New methodology

Quantification of total fluorine using combustion ion chromatography (CIC) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS) has proven suitable for broad PFAS analysis, including polymeric PFAS. Both methods combust the sample directly, without extraction, making them matrix-independent and applicable to various types of products.

These methods are particularly useful for identifying intentional PFAS use and for verifying compliance with the concentration limit of 50 ppm, which is already in place or expected in upcoming regulations.

Identification and quantification of fluorinated polymers in consumer products by combustion ion chromatography and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A systematic workflow for PFAS analysis

Work on analytical methods for future regulatory compliance has continued within the PARC – Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals project. Here, RISE, together with other researchers and regulatory authorities, has published a proposal for a systematic approach to testing PFAS in articles and chemical products. The aim is to make testing more cost-efficient and to first capture intentional use with methods that can also detect polymeric PFAS.

A systematic workflow for compliance testing of emerging international classwide restrictions on PFAS