As regulatory scrutiny increases and detection requirements tighten, laboratories are facing a new question:
How can TFA be measured reliably, sensitively, and at scale?
Tags
Why TFA in water Is gaining attention, and how labs can measure it with confidence
As regulatory scrutiny increases and detection requirements tighten, laboratories are facing a new question:
How can TFA be measured reliably, sensitively, and at scale?
Getting PFAS right: Why sample preparation matters
Ultra‑low reporting limits, expanding target lists, and the constant risk of background contamination mean that even small missteps before injection can compromise data integrity. PFAS can be introduced at nearly every stage of prep, from sampling containers and PPE to SPE cartridges, filters, solvents, and lab consumables, making contamination control as critical as analyte recovery.
PFAS in textiles: What laboratories are starting to uncover
Waterproof jackets. Stain-resistant shoes. Easy-clean fabrics are marketed as “performance.” Behind those everyday claims sits a class of chemicals now reshaping regulation, brand accountability, and laboratory science: PFAS.
PFAS FAQ’s: Ask our experts
PFAS analysis is complex, but expert guidance doesn’t have to be. In this episode of our ‘Ask the PFAS expert series’, we’re joined by Michael Scherer, Application Lead for Food and Environmental, to answer the most pressing questions in PFAS analysis. From why LC-MS/MS systems are the gold standard for analyzing diverse PFAS compounds, to which EU methods deliver reliable results for drinking water, and to practical steps to prevent contamination, Michael shares actionable insights to help laboratories achieve accuracy, consistency, and confidence in their workflows.
A toast to summer… and a side of trifluoroacetic acid?
Whether we are raising glasses of rosé in a vineyard in France or enjoying a lager in a casual street restaurant in China, it is likely that the last thing on many people’s minds is the chemical risks from their beverage. Unless you work in food science, then it might actually be the first thing.
The economics of PFAS testing: A strategic perspective for laboratory managers
As PFAS regulations tighten globally, laboratory managers are navigating a complex economic landscape. Whether operating in a commercial or non- commercial setting, the pressure to deliver accurate, defensible, and timely PFAS data is mounting. At SCIEX we understand that the right technology can turn this regulatory challenge into a strategic opportunity.
Overcoming uncertainty in your PFAS analysis
Just like gum on the bottom of a shoe, the existence of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in our environment is a sticky one. If you’re in the field of environmental testing, then you’re all too familiar with the threat these substances have on public health. While we have learned a lot about them over the years, there is still much more to understand. With the right detection methods, we can gather the information we need to empower us to make informed decisions on reducing the risks they impose.
PFAS analysis in food: a robustness study in sensitivity and stability
The combination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing, trace-level regulatory requirements and complex MS applications can be intimidating. In a recent webinar, now available on demand, SCIEX PFAS expert Craig Butt demonstrated how the new SCIEX 7500+ system can help make PFAS testing easier.
Take out the PFAS in our takeout
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were first detected in wildlife1 and oceanic waters2 in the early 2000s. Recently, however, these chemicals have been found in school uniforms,3 cosmetics4 and food contact materials,5 shifting what was initially considered an environmental issue to a public health crisis. As concerns have grown about the toxicological impact of long-term PFAS exposure on human health, questions about food-borne exposure have surged, especially since these chemicals are used in disposable food packaging materials, non-stick cookware and even in food processing machinery.
The secrets of recycling: PFAS and 6PPD
Recycling and reusing items is generally accepted as the “right” thing to do. But what if there were unintended, negative consequences to recycling? For example, old car tires are often ground down and reused for synthetic turf, with roughly 40,000 tires used per field.1 However, car tires contain the chemical 6PPD,5 which is converted by ozone to a quinone compound 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q) and enters river systems where it is toxic to coho salmon. In addition, some studies have detected per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)— the” forever chemicals”—in artificial turf,1,4 which means it may be a source of PFAS found in nearby water supplies and potentially in drinking water.
Telling the PFAS story with pine needles
As an ever-expanding group of chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) require novel techniques to monitor their current and historical presence in the environment. Concerns over exposure to PFAS chemicals continue to grow, with some having known toxic characteristics and the potential effects of others remaining unknown.1 In addition, while PFAS are one of the most persistent synthetic chemicals to date, most of them hardly degrade in the environment.2 So, how long do traces of PFAS last in our environment? Two tools used to help answer this question are active samplers and passive samplers.
The hidden ingredient in anti-fog sprays: PFAS
A recent study led by researchers from Duke University, conducted with colleagues from Wayne State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, found that four of the top-rated anti-fog sprays contained up to 20.7 milligrams of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) per milliliter of solution. This study has received a lot of exposure in popular media, and it should not be overlooked. The researchers used several creative approaches to obtain a comprehensive characterization of the anti-fog sprays, including using total organic fluorine measurements, GC-MS methods and both nominal mass and accurate mass instruments. A unique finding of the study was the detection of fluorotelomer ethoxylates (FTEOs), which are relatively unknown PFAS compounds.
Previously unknown group of PFAS compounds detected near Solvay manufacturing site in New Jersey
In a recent PFAS fireside chat, Dr. John Washington from the US EPA discussed the findings of a recent study published in Science that detected a novel group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—called chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (ClPFPECAs)—in soil samples from New Jersey. The study, conducted by Dr. Washington and his colleagues, detected 10 unique ClPFPECAs in these samples, with the highest concentrations measured near the Solvay manufacturing plant in West Deptford Townhouse, New Jersey, and decreased amounts detected as the distance from the plant increased.
PFAS testing: solid phase extraction vs. direct injection methods
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense (DoD) methods for testing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water require using solid phase extraction (SPE). SPE has been used extensively in environmental contaminant analysis both for concentrating large sample volumes (improving method sensitivity) and removing matrix interferences (sample cleanup).
Should you bring your PFAS testing in-house?
As the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulatory landscape evolves in the US and across the globe, the interest in PFAS continues to grow. Drinking water and food packaging are under particular scrutiny, and monitoring programs and requirements will continue to expand to include an increasing variety of sample types and PFAS compounds.
Meet regulatory limits: Characterize and quantify PFAS and GenX in water using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) continue to persist throughout the environment.Concerns about the health dangers posed by these contaminants, along with the possibility of biological toxicity of legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and...
Packaging with PFAS is not all it’s wrapped up to be
In the 1930s, a research chemist accidentally created polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). The discovery put him in the National Inventors Hall of Fame when PTFE was later commercialized under the trade name Teflon. Nobody anticipated the impact this invention would have on...
Environmental scientists: Why the SCIEX X500R QTOF system is perfect for PFAS research
The world of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research is a big one and one that’s currently front and center in environmental contamination concerns. Whether you work in industrial or academic environmental research, the issues surrounding these...
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.