Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFASs)
What are PFASs and what are they used for?
Perfluoroalkyl chemicals or PFASs have a wide range of different physical and chemical properties. They can be gases, liquids, or solids with high-molecular-weight polymers. For instance, they are stable under intense heat. Many of them also have surfactant characteristics and functions. PFASs are released into the environment from direct and indirect sources, for example, from professional and industrial facilities using PFASs, during the use of consumer products (e.g. cosmetics, ski waxes, or clothing), and from food contact materials. Aerospace and defense, automotive, aviation, textiles, leather, apparel, construction and home goods, electronics, and firefighting are a few of the key industrial areas that employ PFASs. Notably, the closest PFASs may be found in food contact materials, food processing, and medicinal uses related to our daily life intake. Cardboard pizza boxes, popcorn or French fry containers, and other carton and paper FCMs can contain PFAS. Because of its ability to repel grease, PFAS is used in paper and board FCMs.
Humans can be exposed to them every day at home, in their workplace, and through the environment which is harmful to human health. Worldwide companies have started to replace long-chain PFASs with alternative PFASs or with fluorine-free materials over the past few decades.
What are the concerns?
All PFASs are highly persistent in the environment. In fact, they are known to persist in the environment longer than any other man-made substance. As a consequence of this persistence, as long as PFASs continue to be released into the environment, humans will be exposed to ever greater concentrations of PFASs. Even if all releases of PFASs would cease tomorrow, they would continue to be present in the environment, and humans, for generations to come. Their release and mobility in water and air cause contamination of groundwater and drinking water, which is difficult and costly to avoid. Certain PFASs are known to accumulate in living things and cause toxic effects. Certain PFASs are toxic for reproduction and can harm the development of fetuses. Several PFASs may cause cancer in humans. Some PFASs are also
suspected of interfering with the human endocrine (hormonal) system.
Analyzed parameters and limitation
- Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
According to EU 2022/1431, sample analysis should test for the presence in food of these four PFASs:
These PFASs are found mainly in food contamination.
For optional, the test also for the presence of compounds which are similar to the above 4 mentioned PFASs, but have a different chemical structure and with relevant occurrence in food, drinking water, and/or human serum if possible. The list is including with Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluoro hexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), Perfluorotetradecan oic acid (PFTeDA), Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPS), Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluorononane sulfonic acid (PFNS), Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (PFD S), Perfluoroundecane sulfonic acid (PFUnDS), Perfluorododecane sulfonic acid (PFDoDS), Perfluorotridecane sulfonic acid (PFTrDS), and Perfluorooctane sulphonamide (FOSA).
The analyses should be carried out in accordance with Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and the Council using a method of analysis that has been proven to generate reliable results. The limits of quantification of the analytical methods should be below or at the level shown in the table
Recommended level:
| Sample matrix / PFASs | PFOS | PFOA | PFNA | PFHxS |
| Crustaceans | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Edible meat of terrestrial animals | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Edible offal of terrestrial animals | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Eggs | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Fish | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Fish oil | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Food for infants and young children | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 0.004 |
| Fruits | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 0.004 |
| Meat | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Milk | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.020 | 0.040 |
| Molluscs | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Starchy roots | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 0.004 |
| Tubers | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 0.004 |
| Vegetables | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.001 | 0.004 |
Note: Used methods that cannot achieve these limits of quantification may submit results obtained with methods with higher limits of quantification.
How Eurofins support you?
As a member of a network of 900 independent laboratories across 61 countries, we have more than 20 years of experience with PFAS analysis, we are able to provide
- 75 PFAS target analytes
- 70 from a single injection in potable and nonpotable water.
- Over 30 dedicated PFAS instruments
- High-quality and cost-effective solutions to meet your PFAS testing needs.
Eurofins offer highly sensitive methods, low reporting limits, and compliance with method protocols meeting regulations over the duration of the client program.
Eurofins holds accreditation for PFAS in drinking water, non-potable water, and solids in our laboratories ISO 17025 accredited.
Questions?
For more information please contact us
Office Phone: +66 (0) 2 339 0699
Email: TH03_Contact@eurofins.com
Location: The Princess Chulabhorn Science Research Center 12th Floor, No. 50, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Ngarmwongwan Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900