Guide to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling within Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals with a nondegradable fluorinated carbon backbone that have been incorporated in countless industrial and commercial applications. Because PFAS are nondegradable, they have been detected in all environmental media, indicating extensive global contamination. The unique physiochemical properties of PFAS and their complex interactions with environmental matrices create a great challenge for researchers when selecting site-specific sample matrices, sampling logistics, various analytical methods, and data interpretation. The widespread contamination and the potential toxicity of PFAS to human and environmental health have resulted in the proposed designation of two commonly used PFAS as hazardous substances, which may prompt new requirements for reporting, regulatory action, and site cleanup. For researchers involved in natural resource damage assessment efforts, understanding the multifaceted dynamics of the environmental fate and transport of PFAS will be essential for appropriate sample collections, analyses, and data interpretation. This guide aims to provide fundamental concepts and considerations involved with environmental sampling for PFAS during site assessments.