Prevalence of PFAS Sample Cross-contamination Caused by Sampling
(Room 127 B&C)
15 Sep 26
1:30 PM
-
2:30 PM
Tracks:
Emerging Contaminants
PFAS are prevalent in numerous items used when taking samples for laboratory testing. This, coupled with the fact that laboratories calibrate instruments to detect PFAS in the single digit ppt range, has led to a great deal of concern about the potential for cross-contamination of samples caused by sampling. Numerous PFAS sampling SOPs call for stringent measures not required when sampling for other regulated contaminants, as well as more field QC samples. Is all this concern warranted? During this presentation attendees will learn about the incidence rate of cross-contamination in field QC samples from a recent and large set of samples taken from around the country. We will discuss the inherent limitation of Field Blanks and Field Reagent Blanks, as well as practices taken to mitigate cross-contamination.