U.S. Geological Survey Develops Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Sampling Guide
USGS scientist’s published a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) sampling guide for personnel involved with Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) activities. This guide introduces individuals involved in NRDAR efforts and other investigators to key concepts and considerations when sampling different environmental media for PFAS.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of synthetic chemicals that have received considerable public attention because of the growing concerns regarding their impact on human and environmental health. PFAS compounds are considered amphipathic, which means that they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. In addition, they also have carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds that are considered one of the strongest in nature. This C-F bond makes them chemically and thermally stable, and highly resistant to environmental degradation. With their strong bonds and amphipathic characteristic, PFAS compounds have properties that include water, temperature, oil, chemical, fire resistance, and electrical insulation. These properties are the primary reason for the extensive use of PFAS since 1938 in industrial applications and everyday consumer products, such as food packaging, cookware, clothing, personal care products, and textiles. The distinct properties of PFAS that contribute to their widespread usage and nondegradable nature, has resulted in global contamination that has been detected in all environmental media (air, water, soil, sediment, wildlife, humans). For instance, a growing number of publications have reported extensive PFAS contamination in surface water, sediments, biosolids, drinking water, fish, and higher trophic level organisms, including humans.
In April 2024, the EPA designated two of the most frequently monitored and detected PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). As a result of this designation, CERCLA requirements may apply to releases of PFOA and PFOS however this does not automatically require investigation or cleanup actions. Decisions regarding investigations or cleanup actions are made on a site-by-site basis depending on whether the releases from the site pose unacceptable risk to human or environmental health. This guide aims to introduce personnel involved in NRDAR efforts and other environmental monitoring studies to PFAS nomenclature, key concepts and identify challenges involved with PFAS sampling.
This guide provides important information and links resources that address common questions arising during the investigation of potential PFAS contamination, such as:
- What are the chemical properties of PFAS?
- What are the historical manufacturing, uses, and potential environmental sources of PFAS?
- What is the regulatory status of PFAS?
- What are the baseline and response considerations?
- What are precursors and how are they measured?
- How do PFAS interact with the environment?
- What type of samples should be collected to analyze PFAS in the environment?
- Are there customary sampling supplies, gear, or clothing that could potentially contain PFAS and contaminate samples?
- What analytical methods are available and are there differences for types of samples?
- What screening values are available to interpret PFAS in environmental media?
For more information on the EPA’s recent listing of PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances, please go to:
USGS scientist’s published a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) sampling guide for personnel involved with Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) activities. This guide introduces individuals involved in NRDAR efforts and other investigators to key concepts and considerations when sampling different environmental media for PFAS.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of synthetic chemicals that have received considerable public attention because of the growing concerns regarding their impact on human and environmental health. PFAS compounds are considered amphipathic, which means that they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. In addition, they also have carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds that are considered one of the strongest in nature. This C-F bond makes them chemically and thermally stable, and highly resistant to environmental degradation. With their strong bonds and amphipathic characteristic, PFAS compounds have properties that include water, temperature, oil, chemical, fire resistance, and electrical insulation. These properties are the primary reason for the extensive use of PFAS since 1938 in industrial applications and everyday consumer products, such as food packaging, cookware, clothing, personal care products, and textiles. The distinct properties of PFAS that contribute to their widespread usage and nondegradable nature, has resulted in global contamination that has been detected in all environmental media (air, water, soil, sediment, wildlife, humans). For instance, a growing number of publications have reported extensive PFAS contamination in surface water, sediments, biosolids, drinking water, fish, and higher trophic level organisms, including humans.
In April 2024, the EPA designated two of the most frequently monitored and detected PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). As a result of this designation, CERCLA requirements may apply to releases of PFOA and PFOS however this does not automatically require investigation or cleanup actions. Decisions regarding investigations or cleanup actions are made on a site-by-site basis depending on whether the releases from the site pose unacceptable risk to human or environmental health. This guide aims to introduce personnel involved in NRDAR efforts and other environmental monitoring studies to PFAS nomenclature, key concepts and identify challenges involved with PFAS sampling.
This guide provides important information and links resources that address common questions arising during the investigation of potential PFAS contamination, such as:
- What are the chemical properties of PFAS?
- What are the historical manufacturing, uses, and potential environmental sources of PFAS?
- What is the regulatory status of PFAS?
- What are the baseline and response considerations?
- What are precursors and how are they measured?
- How do PFAS interact with the environment?
- What type of samples should be collected to analyze PFAS in the environment?
- Are there customary sampling supplies, gear, or clothing that could potentially contain PFAS and contaminate samples?
- What analytical methods are available and are there differences for types of samples?
- What screening values are available to interpret PFAS in environmental media?
For more information on the EPA’s recent listing of PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances, please go to: