Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—also known as Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)—are a diverse group of manufactured compounds frequently used as surfactants in industrial, consumer, military, and firefighting applications across the United States, such as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) firefighting products, textiles, carpeting, metal plating, paper food packaging, cleaning products, coating additives, and pesticides. 

Health Concerns Related to PFAS

PFAS compounds exhibit distinctive chemical characteristics that make them stable in the environment and resistant to degradation, allowing them to bioaccumulate in soil, sediment, groundwater, and animal tissue over time. Two types of PFAS are particularly persistent: Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOS and PFOA are fully fluorinated organic compounds which happen to be amongst the most ubiquitous PFAS in the U.S. and although no longer manufactured here continue to enter the country on imported goods

Regulatory Action Underway

PFAS continues to make State and National news due to its pervasiveness and adverse effects on the environment and public health. For this reason, both the U.S. EPA and California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board, SWRCB) have announced PFAS action plans. The State Board has completed Phase 1 and 2 of the phased investigation approach to PFAS and has now issued updated orders to drinking water agencies as a continuation of Phase 3. In 2019 California passed legislation requiring public water systems to report confirmed detections in their annual consumer confidence report and take immediate action should the contaminants exceed set response levels.

In 2022 State Board Orders (DW-2022-0001-DDW) required specified water agencies to switch PFAS monitoring from EPA Method 537.1 to Method 533. The State Board set Detection Limits (DL), Notification Levels (NL) and Response Levels (RL) for four (4) PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. More information can be found on the State Board website, https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/pfas/ca_pfas_timeline.html.

Babcock Laboratorie's State Certifications Capabilities

Below is a table of Babcock’s state certifications capabilities.

PFAS Testing Expertise

EPA METHOD 537.1, 533, and the DoD QSM 5.1(or later) REQUIRED FOR NON-POTABLE SOURCES

Babcock Laboratories’ vast scope of testing services includes the analysis of PFAS. We are CA ELAP accredited to perform testing for all 18 target analytes for EPA Method 537.1 and have worked with the USEPA to develop and validate EPA Method 533 for shorter chain PFAS.

In 2019, Babcock Labs was approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) and CA ELAP for the analysis of non-potable liquids via SPE and LC/MS/MS to meet the DoD QSM 5.1 Table B15 data quality requirements. The DoD QSM is currently the only approved procedure in California deemed appropriate to non-potable matrices, such as POTW influents and effluents, landfill leachates, condensates, and groundwater. We can test for all 31 PFAS compounds required under the Board Orders, as well as the 11 additional PFAS compounds listed as optional, to meet your specific requirements.

Our clients include the U.S. EPA, public and private water systems, and engineering consulting firms. Due to the diversity of our clients, we have experience providing a wide variety of electronic and hardcopy data deliverables, as well as sampling services. Learn about PFAS sampling services performed by our in-house team of qualified field technicians. 

Babcock Labs stays abreast of the rapidly changing PFAS landscape and continuously reinvests in staff, instrumentation, and our state-of-the art facilities to ensure that we offer our clients reliable lab capacity and the best data quality available.  

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A Quick Year in Review:2020

As we welcome the end of an unprecedented year and prepare to welcome 2021, we would like to reflect on some of the key industry topics of 2020 that will likely provide clues to the issues and challenges our industry is sure to experience in the New Year.

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To Grab or to Composite...That is the PFAS Question!

The debate regarding the most appropriate method to collect non-potable liquids—specifically POTW influents and effluents—continues. Last month California State Water Quality Control Board (SWQCB) staff appeared to walk back parts of the original Phase III PFAS monitoring orders, directing the responsibility for making decisions regarding sampling techniques back to the agency and their laboratory. October is upon us and water treatment professionals are wondering…

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From TOP to Bottom: TOP Assay Not Likely to Close Mass Balance on Total PFAS

Testing for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is increasing nationwide as multiple states launch investigations into PFAS contaminated areas. But while a handful of these “forever chemicals” are tested and starting to be regulated, the vast majority are not. Much of the difficulty lies in the testing itself;

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PFAS: It’s Not Just In The Water

In response to widespread contamination, the EPA and FDA have released testing methods that identify 29 PFAS compounds in water and 16 PFAS compounds in food. The EPA also released a 2020 update of its PFAS Action Plan that details the guidelines for testing PFAS in drinking water, recommendations for cleaning up contaminated groundwater, and the allocation of around 14.9 million dollars towards researching PFAS in agriculture, waste, and the environment.

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Drinking Water Agencies

Updates and resources from the State Board concerning drinking water agencies:

EPA Approved Lab

Since the inception of the EPA’s UCMR program, Babcock Laboratories has consistently received EPA laboratory approval for each round (1, 2, and 3), including the most recent round, UCMR 4. We have over 15 years of experience analyzing contaminants of emerging concern—including PFAS—under contract with the EPA and for large water systems.

Non-Potable Water and Solids

Updates and resources from the State Board concerning POTWs, landfills and airports:

LC/MS/MS Expertise

Babcock Laboratories is recognized as a leader in the industry, and that recognition includes over 15 years of LC/MS/MS analyses expertise, the leading technology for determination of PFAS. We have received industry commendation for our innovative and extensive LC/MS/MS research and method development. Our current capability allows us to detect PFAS at low nanogram-per-liter levels in water.

Over 100 Years of Excellence

For over 115 years, Babcock Labs has demonstrated a commitment to data integrity and high ethical standards. In addition to the rigorous Quality Control procedures conducted as part of the testing process, data integrity at Babcock Labs also involves a review of the pertinent regulatory limits and client historical data for early identification of data anomalies.

Do you have questions about PFAS testing services?

Contact us at today at 951-653-3351 or PFAS@babcocklabs.com.