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. 2021 Nov 28;18(23):12550. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312550

Table 3.

Sampling methodology and storage techniques for PFAS contaminants in soil, water, milk, meat and human serum.

Matrix Method Name Developed by Technology or Instrumentation Sampling and Storage Methods Remarks
Soil ASTM D7968 17a ASTM International Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
  1. Sampled in polypropylene containers

  2. 2 g soil required per analysis

  3. Sample should be shipped on ice below 6 degrees

  4. Analysis should be completed in 28 days

This method is applicable to determine 21 PFAS compounds
Non-potable water SW-846 Method 8327 USEPA Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
  1. Samples should be collected in HDPE containers.

  2. Samples should be immediately freezed below 6 degrees Celsius until analyzed

  3. Non-formal holding time by USEPA is 28 days

This method measures 24 PFAS compounds. Matrix-Groundwater, surface water and wastewater
SW-846 Method USEPA Isotope Dilution Method Research underway Collaborative efforts of USEPA and Department of Defense to analyze non-drinking water, biosolids and sediments
Potable or drinking water Method 537.1 USEPA Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
  1. Samples should be collected in polypropylene bottles

  2. 5 g/L Preservation reagent “Trizma” should be added to each sampling container

  3. Sample extraction should take place within 14 days of sampling

This method is applicable to determine 18 PFAS compounds
Milk C-010.01 USFDA Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS); modified QuEChERS extraction technique
  1. Collected in 500 mL LDPE bottles

  2. Preserved below −20 degrees Celsius until analyzed

This method is applicable to determine 16 PFAS compounds and can be used for milk, bread, lettuce and fish as matrices.
Meat (beef) USDA Methanolic Extraction analyzed by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  1. Meat and plasma samples collected at slaughter or processing industry.

  2. Approximately 5 g of sample collected in homogenized tube mill and ground at 5000 rpm for 2 min.

It is applicable to bovine muscle and plasma and can be analysed for 16 PFAS compounds