Applied Technical Services performs a variety of chemical tests on forever chemicals in our PFAS testing lab. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of over 9,000 synthetic chemicals used in many industries. The chemicals’ non-stick properties and resistance to grease, water, oil, and heat made them popular materials for cookware and food containers starting in the 1940s.
Research in the past decades has uncovered a dangerous side to PFAS. Due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond in PFAS, the chemicals do not easily degrade. PFAS can also accumulate in human blood samples. While scientific studies of the direct impacts of PFAS on human health are currently underway, exposure is associated with several adverse health effects:
- Reproductive health concerns
- Developmental impacts on children
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Decreased immunity
- Increased cholesterol levels
How Are People Exposed to PFAS?
People are typically exposed to PFOA and PFOS through contaminated drinking water, but exposure through touching, eating, and inhaling chemicals is also possible. People can be exposed to PFAS by:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Eating food grown, raised, or caught in contaminated water or soil
- Using consumer products manufactured or processed with PFAS
- Eating food from packages containing PFAS
- Swallowing or inhaling contaminated soil or dust
People who work at sites involved with the manufacture or processing of products containing PFAS are more likely to develop health risks than the general population due to frequent inhalation, swallowing, and physical contact with PFAS.
The FDA currently permits the use of certain PFAS in cookware, food packaging, and food processing. Other industries, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics, have historically used PFAS for industrial processing and friction reduction. Today, many industries are currently working to minimize or phase out the use of PFAS in products such as the following:
- Food wrappers and containers
- Stain-resistant treatments for carpets, fabrics, and upholstery
- Water-resistant clothing and mattresses
- Cleaning products
- Personal care products (shampoo, dental floss)
- Cosmetics (eye makeup, nail polish)
- Paints, varnishes, and sealants
- Medical devices
- Firefighting foams
- Construction materials
- Non-stick cookware
How Does ATS Support PFAS Legal Compliance?
Increasing attention to the potential health risks of PFAS has launched a renewed effort from the FDA to improve air quality, food safety, and drinking water cleanliness by reducing and eliminating PFAS. Multiple states have passed laws to regulate the quantity of PFAS in products that are currently in effect or scheduled to take effect within the next few years, including:
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
ATS’ PFAS testing lab supports national and international clients, determining if products conform to relevant legislation and regulations. In addition to comparing PFAS levels with state permissions, our experts can also help clients ensure products meet international PFAS laws, such as EU REACH & Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and Canada’s legislation on importing PFAS products.
Our PFAS Testing Procedures
ATS performs chemical tests in our ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs. Our experts screen samples for fluorine through ion chromatography (IC) or ion-exchange chromatography. We are ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited to perform IC testing according to ASTM D4327.
This sophisticated procedure separates the components in liquid and solid samples according to component size and type. Next, an extraction liquid absorbs ions that break off from the rest and determines ion concentration. We use this test to characterize and identify components in a mixture and assess for contamination.
If the total fluorine screen exceeds 100 parts per million (ppm), we recommend testing with LC/MS/MS, a liquid chromatography test. ATS experts deploy the powerful Shimadzu Tandem Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer to detect trace compounds as low as parts per trillion (ppt).
About Us
ATS is a growing firm with an extensive list of testing, inspection, consulting engineering, and calibration services. Our top-notch staff includes expert engineers, scientists, and technicians with decades of experience in their fields. Our experts can travel to customer sites or take shipments for testing in one of our ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs. ATS leads a Family of Companies comprised of dozens of high-achieving firms nationwide and maintains several certifications and accreditations, including:
- CPSC-approved lab
- ISO/IEC 17025 calibrations and testing
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
- NADCAP
- 10 CFR Part 21
- 10 CFR 50 – Appendix B
- ASME NQA-1
- ANSI/NCSL Z540-1
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 if you have any questions. To schedule PFAS testing, call us or complete the request form on this page.
