When you need to be sure
PFASafe – Next level analysis
What are PFAS?
PFAS (Poly- and PerFluorAlkyl Substances) is a collective name for more than 10,000 different components. These man-made chemical compounds have been around since the 1950s and have all kinds of beneficial use properties: they are water, dirt and grease repellent and fire resistant. PFAS are found in paints, fire-fighting foams, non-stick pans, packaging materials (pizza boxes and snack packs), cosmetics, floor coverings, furniture fabrics, rainwear, lubricants, adhesives and sprays, etc. Due to their favourable properties, more and more alternative compounds are being produced and used.
There is a strong suspicion of toxicity of most PFAS compounds. We ingest PFAS through food, drinking water, inhalation or the kin. PFAS is bioaccumulative. This means that the substances accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals.
In the next few years, PFAS containing applications will be further restricted.
SGS developed a unique concept for better understanding of the full potential PFAS exposure: PFASafe® - Next level analysis.
This analytical approach combines various techniques and provides the most complete picture possible of the presence and absence of all PFAS compounds in soil, (drinking) water, ambient air, consumer product and/or food in three steps.
Whereas traditional PFAS analyses focus on about 40 to 60 components (less than 1% of the total number of PFAS compounds), with PFASafe® - Next level analysis we include all PFAS components.
PFASafe - Next level analysis combines different analysis methods:
• Determination of organic fluorine (AOF/EOF)
• Standard Target analysis (by LCMSMS)
• Non target screening (Q-TOF)
• TOP assay: analyzing before and after degradation
We are SGS, the world's leading company in testing, inspection, and certification. Recognized as a global quality and integrity standard, our 99,600 employees operate in 2,600 offices and labs, fostering a safer and more interconnected world.
About SGS
PFAS, and the potential risks of these forever chemicals on humans, the environment and animals, are causing deep concerns among governments, industrial producers, users, consumers and media. More and more parties need a fast and complete picture of the possible presence of PFAS.
Belgium:
be.ehs.sales@sgs.com
or +32 3 545 85 84
PFASafe - Next level analysis
An important addition to our PFASafe® - Next level analysis, is the advanced QTOF technology, specifically tailored to soil and water matrices. This allows us to provide a qualitative screening of the presence of PFAS compounds in said matrices in soil and water samples.
New! Q-TOF technology
Ask an expert
Would you like more information about our PFASafe® - Next level analysis? Get in touch with our experts:
The Netherlands:
nl.ie.rtd.sales@sgs.com
or +31 10 231 47 00
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For over 20 years SGS has been an expert in researching and analyzing PFAS compounds. PFASafe® - Next level analysis is a new research strategy that focuses on all PFAS components, not just those known and banned by Europe.
Our analysis goes beyond and recognizes a much broader group of PFAS compounds. With PFASafe® – Next level analysis you broaden your scope. PFASafe® – Next level analysis eliminates unpleasant surprises and makes you future proof.
If you would like to know more about PFASafe® - Next level analysis, please contact our experts:
Belgium: be.ehs.sales@sgs.com or +32 3 545 85 84
Netherlands: nl.ie.rtd.sales@sgs.com or +31 10 231 47 00
Future proof
With the PFASafe® - Next level analysis, we include all PFAS compounds, including Ultra Short Chain PFASs (USCs) in soil and water matrices. These ultra-short-chain compounds, such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) exhibit different biochemical behaviour and move easily through water, leading to more widespread contamination. They have different bioaccumulative patterns and pose challenges in standard disposal treatments.
Ultra Short Chain PFAS (USC)
UNIQUE OVERALL CONCEPT FOR PFAS RESEARCH
Unique complexity
The disadvantage of PFAS is that the chemicals are persistent, spread rapidly and are not or hardly biodegradable.
The most common used PFAS method is the target analysis (by LCMSMS) that focuses on a very small percentage (less than 1%) of the more than 10,000 existing PFAS compounds. Many large compounds that can degrade over time to PFAS 'Per' compounds, cannot be measured by classical target analysis and will potentially cause harm in the future. It is vital to anticipate on this now and to not underestimate the presence of PFAS in your analyses and investigations.
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