We are leading in analysis of PFAS
PFAS testing
Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used around the world to make products that resist heat, stains, grease and water. Some of these substances have been found to be toxic and have been linked to various health problems.
Per- & Poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals
Per- & Poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) are part of a family of synthetic chemicals in the form of long chain compounds, such as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfanate (PFOS). Popularly known as ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS are chemically resistant to change, which makes them very difficult to break down. These substances have been used since the 1940s in a variety of consumer products and facilities. Currently, there exists over 4,700 of these fluorine-based compounds in our midst. The compounds are environmentally persistent, mobile and toxic, and are known to impact drinking water.
Ubiquitous in nature with excellent surface-active surfaces, PFAS is present in numerous industrial applications. Some of the industries where PFAS has been identified and found to be prevalent include:
Chemical manufacturers
Airports
Paper and packaging
Defence establishments
Textiles and fabrics
Tyre manufacturers
Electronics
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
Health impact of these forever chemicals
If unchecked and uncontrolled, some of these substances have been linked to health issues including liver damage, kidney cancer, and birth defects. Some of these ‘forever chemicals’ can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time. Due to its inability to break down naturally, PFAS-containing waste materials can remain in the environment for a long time, causing adverse effects.
Available methods for PFAS
We provide three multi-laboratory validated quantitative methods for PFAS analysis to identify these forever chemicals. USEPA Method 1633 covers aqueous, solid, biosolids, and tissue samples by LC-MS/MS while USEPA 537.1 and 533 focus on aqueous samples.
USEPA Method 537.1, which tests for 18 PFAS substances
USEPA Method 533, which tests for 25 PFAS substances
USEPA Method 1633, which tests for 40 PFAS substances
PFAS regulations
Regulations around PFAS (and related chemicals such as PFOAs) remain generally haphazard around the world. In recent years, the EU, US, and Australia began strategic steps to assess the risks of PFAS to human health and the environment.
In April 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the EPA Council on PFAS with a goal to strategic protection of public health and environment from the negative effect of PFAS.
In March 2021, a chemical regulation system, UK REACH, was created by the UK government to look at the risks posed by chemicals, including PFAS. Currently, however, PFAS continues to be unregulated in the UK.
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Normec DETS
Kent and County Durham United Kingdom
Accreditations and recognitions
Quality is central to everything we do
Our laboratories are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the British, European and International Standard for quality assurance in analytical laboratories – BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) provides recognition to international customers that we are accredited to this standard by a recognised accreditation body. All accredited methods are inspected and approved by UKAS and the full standard covers quality assurance and method-specific procedures. Normec DETS also belongs to proficiency testing schemes, including Aquacheck, Contest, AIMS, AISS, RICE and DCC.
UKAS schedule of accreditation, Consett
Normec DETS Limited, a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 2139
UKAS schedule of accreditation, Lenham
Normec DETS Limited, a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 4480