Top laboratories for PFAS analysis: comparison of capabilities

As demand for PFAS testing increases, so does the range of laboratory services on the market. Each laboratory has its distinct capabilities in terms of accepted sample matrices, the number of detectable compounds, and available standard methods. These factors should be carefully evaluated when choosing a testing partner to ensure that the obtained results provide all the required data on the contamination levels of your samples.

In this article, we compare the capabilities, strengths, and limitations of selected PFAS laboratories to help you identify the most suitable option for your testing needs.

Eurofins

Eurofins is one of the oldest and largest players in the laboratory testing field and offers a variety of PFAS analyses at multiple locations. In terms of sample matrices, their capabilities cover water, soil, sediment, air, food, packaging, textiles, and biological materials. Eurofins’ services include total organic fluorine (TOF) screenings to estimate overall PFAS presence, as well as targeted analyses with several EPA, ISO, and ASTM methods, with the capability to analyze up to 100 different compounds for certain sample types. Prices are not available online, and turnaround times can vary between locations. For example, Eurofins USA pledges a 5-day turnaround for routine environmental testing, with a rush 24-hour option available, but there is no similar information available for European locations.

Pros: Can analyze a wide range of samples and detect up to 100 specific PFAS compounds.

Cons: You need to request a quote to get information on prices, and turnaround times may vary between different Eurofins laboratories.

SGS

SGS is another well-known testing laboratory that offers services for many needs, including PFAS analyses for environmental samples, consumer products, electronics, packaging, biological samples, firefighting foams, and textiles. They provide targeted screening of 40 to 60 compounds as well as total fluorine analyses, with compliance testing options according to several EU and US regulations. In some geographical areas, SGS also offers sampling services. They have express methods available for environmental and tissue samples with turnaround times of 1–3 days when other methods than EPA 1633 are a feasible option.

Pros: Offers express methods and sampling services.

Cons: No information on prices online, you need to request a formal quote.

Measurlabs

Measurlabs is a strong option for projects that require a wide range of PFAS analyses across multiple sample types. Through a network of hundreds of partner laboratories, they offer accredited PFAS testing for clean water, wastewater, soil, sediment, food, plastic and fiber-based packaging materials, biological samples such as tissues and blood, chemicals, and raw materials. For consumer goods, they also offer testing to substantiate PFAS-free claims.

Measurlabs’ standard test packages target compounds listed in EU regulations: POP, REACH, Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on food contaminants, the Drinking Water Directive, Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, and the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). In addition, they offer EPA 1633 testing for the US market and an extended option to detect up to 164 specific PFAS compounds in selected sample types. List prices are visible on the website, and large sample batches are usually eligible for volume discounts, making pricing competitive.

Pros: Transparent and competitive pricing, broad service range made possible by the extensive partner laboratory network.

Cons: While they have good turnaround times and also offer express options, TATs of just one or two days are usually not available.

Pace Laboratories

Pace is a large laboratory network in the US that offers PFAS analyses according to US regulations for drinking water, wastewater, landfill leachate, synthetic fluorinated foams (AFFF/F3), consumer products, air, soil, plants, and animal tissue. They are approved by the Department of Defense, EPA-approved under Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules (UCMR 3, UCMR 4, and UCMR 5), and certified with a PFAS laboratory certification program in each state, making them a solid choice for US customers looking for a local service provider.

Pros: Broad analytical capabilities, a good local option for US companies.

Cons: Focused only on the US, both from a geographical and regulatory perspective.

ALS Environmental

ALS specializes in environmental samples and offers PFAS testing for water, soil, and sediment samples. They also provide total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assays for extended risk assessments covering PFAS precursors. ALS can detect up to 54 different compounds in water and soil, in addition to which they offer PFAS testing for concrete and firefighting foams. ALS has also developed a swab method to test PFAS from the surfaces of pipework impacted by firefighting foams to demonstrate successful decontamination of fire suppression systems. Some ALS locations also offer testing for packaging and food.

Pros: Special capabilities for PFAS analysis of building materials and firefighting foams.

Cons: No information on prices or turnaround times online, requesting a formal quote is always required.

RPS Group

RPS Group is a large engineering and consulting company with good capabilities to analyze PFAS, especially from environmental samples. For PFOS and PFOA, they can offer a detection limit as low as 0.09 ng/L. They also offer targeted PFAS analysis to comply with the EU Drinking Water Directive, and their full extended package covers 54 compounds. 48 of these are UKAS-accredited at sub-nanogram levels (0.1 ng/L) for ground water, surface water, drinking water (non-regulatory), untreated sewage, and treated sewage effluent. In addition, RPS Group offers testing for soil, sediment, food, and animal tissues.

Pros: Broad service range, very low detection limits for PFOS and PFOA.

Cons: Local in the UK and has limited analytical capabilities, mainly focused on the environmental and food sectors.

Intertek

Intertek belongs to the group of the oldest and largest product testing laboratories, but in terms of PFAS analysis, they fall slightly behind the competition. Their PFAS analysis capabilities are limited to detecting 30 PFAS compounds in environmental samples with selected standards: DIN 38414-14 (dredging, sludge, compost, and soil), DIN 38407-42 (water, wastewater, and sludge), and ISO 25101 (water). However, they do offer PFAS-free certification for textiles, food packaging, personal care products, and other consumer goods. Certificates are issued based on TOF analysis (total organic fluorine) and an auditing process.

Pros: Large, established brand, offers PFAS-free certification.

Cons: Limited number of detectable PFAS compounds and accepted sample types.

Babcock Laboratories

Babcock Laboratories is a local laboratory in California, focused primarily on environmental testing. They have worked with the US EPA to develop and validate EPA Method 533 for shorter chain PFAS analysis, and also offer analyses with EPA Method 537.1. They are approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) and California’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (CA ELAP) for the analysis of non-potable liquids via SPE and LC/MS/MS to meet DoD QSM 5.1 Table B15 data quality requirements. This is currently the only approved procedure in California for non-potable sample matrices. Their full capabilities cover 42 PFAS compounds.

Pros: Offers testing for non-potables according to US DoD and CA ELAP requirements.

Cons: Limited to 42 PFAS compounds and environmental samples. Best only for Californian customers with regulatory environmental PFAS testing needs.

QIMA

QIMA is a global testing, inspection, and certification organization that provides PFAS testing as part of their service scope. They offer TOF screening and targeted PFAS analysis, capable of detecting up to 64 individual compounds, and also offer expert compliance evaluations to support their customers. QIMA’s services for regulatory PFAS compliance cover POP, REACH, EU food contact material regulations, and various state-specific regulations in the US.

Pros: Consulting and testing services for regulatory compliance in the EU and the US.

Cons: Focus mainly on consumer products, no services for environmental samples or food.