The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Core Technology Team
The Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Core Technology Team (CTT) within the Environmental Health Program partners with external and internal stakeholders to develop and apply analytical methods for measuring PFAS in complex matrices, addressing environmental health issues related to transport, distribution, fate, effects, and exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that can be challenging to detect in environmental media due to their unique properties and characteristics. The PFAS Core Technology Team (CTT) is comprised of four nationwide laboratories focusing on developing optimal extraction and analytical techniques for measuring PFAS in various environmental media, as well as elucidating total PFAS burdens in the environment. The PFAS CTT utilizes a variety of analytical approaches including target and non-target analysis, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and the total oxidizable precursor assay (TOPA). These approaches collectively enhance the understanding of PFAS contamination in the environment and can yield valuable insights for ecosystem health, site characterization and source identification.
Key Analytical Capabilities:
- Targeted Analysis: The targeted approach quantifies a defined list of known analytes and includes both liquid and gas chromatography.
- Non-targeted analysis: The non-targeted approach involves analyzing samples for PFAS compounds that are not part of a predefined list, allowing for the detection of emerging or previously uncharacterized substances.
- Suspect screening: This approach combines target and non-target methods to identify and quantify PFAS compounds based on their chemical structure, focusing on compounds that resemble known PFAS.
- Passive Samplers: The Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) collects PFAS in the dissolved phase, providing an estimate of bioavailable PFAS that aquatic organisms may encounter.
- Electrochemical PFAS Sensors: This approach employs different sensors (molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) and the metal organic framework (MOF)) for detecting PFAS.
- Optical Property Measurements as Proxies for PFAS: This approach uses multi-probe sensors to measure the fluorescence of PFAS to develop statistical models for predicting PFAS concentrations.
- Methods in development:
- High-Sensitivity Extractable Organic Fluorine (EOF): EOF analysis measures the total fluorine content in a sample, providing an estimate of the presence of all fluorinated compounds, including those not specifically identified.
- Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOPA): TOPA is an analytical method used to quantify PFAS precursors in environmental samples. This assay involves oxidizing PFAS precursors, often not detected by traditional methods, into measurable terminal PFAS compounds. By converting these precursors into their more stable forms, TOPA provides a more comprehensive understanding of PFAS contamination and its potential sources.
PFAS CTT Partners:

- Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
- Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
- Energy Integrated Science Team
- Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
- Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
- Immunomodulation Science Team
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Integrated Science Team
- Other Core Technology Teams (CTT)
- Other USGS Mission Areas
- EPA
- NIEHS
- NIH
- US FWS
- USDA
- DOD
U.S. Geological Survey Develops Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Sampling Guide
A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Comprehensive Research on PFAS Exposomics and Risk Assessment
Southeast Region Fluorochemical Network (SERFN)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Measurements in Tampa Bay Fish and Sediments Provide an Understanding of Potential Human Exposure
Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
Advanced PFAS Measurement Methods

The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
Tissue distribution and temporal and spatial assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the mid-Atlantic United States
Predictions of groundwater PFAS occurrence at drinking water supply depths in the United States
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications
Improving understanding and coordination of science activities for PFAS in the Chesapeake watershed
Assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments and fishes in a large, urbanized estuary and the potential human health implications
Concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in selected rivers and streams in Massachusetts, 2020
Integrated science for the study of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
A comprehensive statewide spatiotemporal stream assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an agricultural region of the United States
Sampling for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) by the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Priority Basin Project
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New Hampshire soils and biosolids
Isolating the AFFF signature in coastal watersheds using oxidizable PFAS precursors and unexplained organofluorine
PFAS in the environment
PFAS in US Tapwater Interactive Dashboard
Interactive Map: Virginia and West Virginia PFAS Sampling Locations
The Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Core Technology Team (CTT) within the Environmental Health Program partners with external and internal stakeholders to develop and apply analytical methods for measuring PFAS in complex matrices, addressing environmental health issues related to transport, distribution, fate, effects, and exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that can be challenging to detect in environmental media due to their unique properties and characteristics. The PFAS Core Technology Team (CTT) is comprised of four nationwide laboratories focusing on developing optimal extraction and analytical techniques for measuring PFAS in various environmental media, as well as elucidating total PFAS burdens in the environment. The PFAS CTT utilizes a variety of analytical approaches including target and non-target analysis, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and the total oxidizable precursor assay (TOPA). These approaches collectively enhance the understanding of PFAS contamination in the environment and can yield valuable insights for ecosystem health, site characterization and source identification.
Key Analytical Capabilities:
- Targeted Analysis: The targeted approach quantifies a defined list of known analytes and includes both liquid and gas chromatography.
- Non-targeted analysis: The non-targeted approach involves analyzing samples for PFAS compounds that are not part of a predefined list, allowing for the detection of emerging or previously uncharacterized substances.
- Suspect screening: This approach combines target and non-target methods to identify and quantify PFAS compounds based on their chemical structure, focusing on compounds that resemble known PFAS.
- Passive Samplers: The Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) collects PFAS in the dissolved phase, providing an estimate of bioavailable PFAS that aquatic organisms may encounter.
- Electrochemical PFAS Sensors: This approach employs different sensors (molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) and the metal organic framework (MOF)) for detecting PFAS.
- Optical Property Measurements as Proxies for PFAS: This approach uses multi-probe sensors to measure the fluorescence of PFAS to develop statistical models for predicting PFAS concentrations.
- Methods in development:
- High-Sensitivity Extractable Organic Fluorine (EOF): EOF analysis measures the total fluorine content in a sample, providing an estimate of the presence of all fluorinated compounds, including those not specifically identified.
- Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOPA): TOPA is an analytical method used to quantify PFAS precursors in environmental samples. This assay involves oxidizing PFAS precursors, often not detected by traditional methods, into measurable terminal PFAS compounds. By converting these precursors into their more stable forms, TOPA provides a more comprehensive understanding of PFAS contamination and its potential sources.
PFAS CTT Partners:

- Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
- Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
- Energy Integrated Science Team
- Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
- Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
- Immunomodulation Science Team
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Integrated Science Team
- Other Core Technology Teams (CTT)
- Other USGS Mission Areas
- EPA
- NIEHS
- NIH
- US FWS
- USDA
- DOD
U.S. Geological Survey Develops Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Sampling Guide
A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Comprehensive Research on PFAS Exposomics and Risk Assessment
Southeast Region Fluorochemical Network (SERFN)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Measurements in Tampa Bay Fish and Sediments Provide an Understanding of Potential Human Exposure
Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
Advanced PFAS Measurement Methods

The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.