Due to the lack of an EPA published method for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in media other than drinking water, there is the potential for greater variability in analytical results from laboratory to laboratory.  To this end, there have been multiple statements of needs from across the PFAS community to focus on validation, accuracy, and reproducibility of PFAS data in a variety of matrices. Currently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has provided measurements of PFAS in ten different reference materials, including human serum, human plasma, fish tissue, house dust, soil, and domestic sludge. These materials are useful for the development and validation of methods; however, the concentrations in these reference materials are significantly lower compared to the concentrations in some source materials, such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). The project will build upon existing expertise in developing and providing reference materials to create an AFFF PFAS reference material.  This material could be a tool to help evaluate the ability of laboratories to analyze various media that have been impacted by AFFF and AFFF source material itself.

Under the proposed research, four AFFF and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) reference materials were created (RMs 8690, 8691, 8692, and 8693). The four materials can be used to ensure laboratories that perform analysis of AFFF and AFFF-impacted media (high concentration samples) are able to achieve accurate quantitation of those PFAS present as well as the limit of quantitation (LOQ) possible for those not detected.  The creation of AFFF reference materials can be used by the PFAS measurement community to underpin their quantitative and qualitative data.  To purchase these materials, visit https://shop.nist.gov/. 

The second part of this research aims to create two soil materials impacted by AFFF.  Soil, collected from two different locations with known PFAS presence, will be dried, irradiated, homogenized, and bottled by NIST.  After bottling these materials will be evaluated for PFAS.  Once chemical analysis is finished, NIST will write up a special publication detailing the PFAS content in the two soils and the reference materials will be available for purchase at https://shop.nist.gov/. 

All the reference materials NIST creates are homogeneous, shelf‐stable, and available to academic, government, and contract laboratories.  In addition, these materials support measurement needs, new remediation technologies, and the analytical laboratories. The individual unit volume and concentration would be specifically designed to be applicable for targeted environmental analysis, as well as fate, transport, and remediation studies.

Phase I Results

Currently NIST has identified two soil materials and is processing the materials.

These reference materials will address the current measurement needs of the PFAS analytical community. By creating the AFFF and soil reference materials, with known quantities of PFAS measurements assigned, contract laboratories will be able to provide accurate and comparable results for PFAS measurements. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2027)