PFAS Testing
What is PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS for short, refer to a group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used and break down very slowly over time.
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because many of these compounds break down very slowly over time and can persist in the water environment.
Health Risks of PFAS exposure
The CDC reports that the majority of Americans have been exposed to PFAS contamination.
Health effects from PFAS exposure are still being studied. Scientific research suggests that exposure to some PFAS may be associated with potential health effects, including:
- Reproductive effects
- Developmental effects
- Increased risk of some cancers
- Compromised immune responses
- Interference with hormonal production
- Increased cholesterol levels
It is challenging to identify the health effects of each PFAS compound, so data-driven regulations lag behind the environmental and human health risks of these contaminants.
Types of PFAS compounds
The following table lists 29 PFAS compounds that can be measured in drinking water using EPA Methods, along with the analytical method of detection and the EPA’s Minimum Reporting Level (MRL).
Contaminant | Method | MRL [ug/L] |
11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS) | 533 | 0.005 |
1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS) | 533 | 0.005 |
1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS) | 533 | 0.003 |
1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS) | 533 | 0.005 |
4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA) | 533 | 0.003 |
9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS) | 533 | 0.002 |
hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)(GenX) | 533 | 0.005 |
nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA) | 533 | 0.002 |
perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA) | 533 | 0.004 |
perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) | 533 | 0.005 |
perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | 533 | 0.004 |
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) | 533 | 0.004 |
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 533 | 0.004 |
perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS) | 533 | 0.004 |
perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | 533 | 0.003 |
perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) | 533 | 0.002 |
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA) | 537.1 | 0.005 |
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA) | 537.1 | 0.006 |
perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) | 537.1 | 0.008 |
perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) | 537.1 | 0.007 |
PFAS Testing Information
Criterion’s Testing Kits
Criterion offers PFAS Testing to accurately determine the levels of PFAS contamination in your drinking water. Criterion’s PFAS Test Kits can be shipped or picked up from our lab:
PFAS Test Kit:
25 PFAS Compounds, including: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS
Criterion Laboratories
400 Street Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020
For information about Criterion’s Drinking Water Testing and PFAS Test Kits, contact Criterion: (215) 244-1300.
Sample Collection
Click Here to view the EPA’s Analytical Methods for PFAS Testing of Drinking Water
FAQ
What are PFAS, and why are EPA Method 533 and Method 537.1 required for testing?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that accumulate in human bodies and water supplies, linked to cancers, immune suppression, and hormonal disruption. Because PFAS persist in microscopic quantities, the EPA mandates ultra- sensitive testing methods:
- EPA Method 533: Targets 25 short-chain and acidic PFAS compounds using Isotope Dilution Anion Exchange SPE/LC-MS/MS.
- EPA Method 537.1: Analyzes 18 longer-chain perfluorinated alkyl acids.
- Criterion’s Advantage: Criterion Labs is accredited by the EPA, PA DEP, and MDE for both methods, screening for up to 29 target PFAS compounds down to 2–5 parts per trillion (ppt).
Does Criterion Labs offer at-home PFAS drinking water test kits?
Yes. Criterion provides dedicated PFAS test kits using EPA Method 533 to screen residential well or municipal tap water for 25 primary PFAS compounds, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFBS. Kits include specialized PFAS-free sample bottles to prevent background cross-contamination during collection.