By Craig Butt
As government regulators seek to limit per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which are chemicals linked to a range of health and environmental risks – testing for these chemicals has proven challenging. Called “forever chemicals” because of the extreme resistance to breakdown in the environment, PFAS can seep into groundwater and soil, contaminate food and crops and ultimately endanger human health. Due to the dangers these chemicals pose, regulators are setting limits on PFAS and requiring regular testing to monitor their levels.
While the increase in regulation and testing will be key to limiting the consequences of PFAS, this effort is no simple task, especially for water and waste management companies responsible for mitigating PFAS contamination. There are an estimated 5,000 PFAS chemicals, many of which are not well characterized or understood. However, new technology like accurate mass spectrometry makes defining and analyzing these chemicals possible in this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
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By Craig Butt
As government regulators seek to limit per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which are chemicals linked to a range of health and environmental risks – testing for these chemicals has proven challenging. Called “forever chemicals” because of the extreme resistance to breakdown in the environment, PFAS can seep into groundwater and soil, contaminate food and crops and ultimately endanger human health. Due to the dangers these chemicals pose, regulators are setting limits on PFAS and requiring regular testing to monitor their levels.
While the increase in regulation and testing will be key to limiting the consequences of PFAS, this effort is no simple task, especially for water and waste management companies responsible for mitigating PFAS contamination. There are an estimated 5,000 PFAS chemicals, many of which are not well characterized or understood. However, new technology like accurate mass spectrometry makes defining and analyzing these chemicals possible in this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
Continue Reading
This archived story is available after you provide your email address and accept our Privacy Policy.
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