PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” are a diverse group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products such as non-stick frying pans, water resistant clothing, children’s toys, or packaging material for pharmaceutical products. PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, the components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of humans and animals and are present at low levels in a variety of food products, water, and in the environment. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

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Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

Since 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been developing methods and testing food products, produce, and meats for PFAS levels to better understand the risks to human health that these long-lasting compounds may have. In January of 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added more PFAS compounds to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), bringing the total number of PFAS compounds in the TRI to over 200.

PFAS testing requires specialized equipment and processes to achieve sensitivity and avoid contamination by plastics and polymers that may come into contact with samples during sample collection and preparation. High Pressure Liquid Chromatography combined with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) is typically used to separate and quantify PFAS components down to sub-ppb levels.