Our Experience

Per-(Poly) Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

GEL has developed EPA Methods 537 and 537 modified to support PFAS analysis across the United States. 

The Challenge

PFAS have many manufacturing and industrial applications because they impart useful properties, including fire resistance, and oil, stain, grease and water repellency. These chemicals are used in a wide range of industrial applications and the manufacture of consumer goods, and may be found in cleaners, textiles, leather, paper and paints, fire-fighting foams, and wire insulation.  The use of these compounds has brought them to the public forefront as an emerging contaminant.  GEL was tasked with conducting research and development on existing methodologies to identify unknown PFAS in drinking water, surface water, groundwater and solids for those effected by the Cape Fear River contamination in eastern North Carolina.

GEL Services Provided

GEL offers analysis of PFAS by EPA Method 537.1 and 533 for drinking water and offer Method 537.1 modified for liquid, solid, tissue, and Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) samples using LC/MS/MS technology to detect and differentiate the compounds.  GEL holds DoD ELAP ISO17025:2017 accreditation for these methods, the modified method being fully compliant with QSM 5.3 Table B-15. GEL is NELAP certified for drinking water, non-potable water, and liquid and solid wastes (including soils) using these methods. GEL is also finalizing certification submittals for EPA Draft Method 1633 for analysis of PFAS compounds in aqueous, solid, biosolid and tissue samples for DoD ELAP ISO 17025:2017 and Utah accreditation.

In addition, GEL expanded our current EPA Methods to specifically identify up to 47 PFAS compounds for various matricies. 

The Result

GEL Laboratories has been successful in analyzing many different matrices for PFAS.  This has allowed further development of treatment systems to be utilized to clean up spill areas and residents to receive safer drinking water in Southeastern NC.  Many of these projects are still ongoing and will continue into the foreseeable future.

For more information please find our PFAS video at the link below or contact Trent Temperly at (317) 370-9644.

https://youtu.be/qnKxa6YhTSw

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