PFAS in wastewater and highly contaminated water

We offer several PFAS analysis packages for drinking water and natural water samples, with options to meet a range of requirements in terms of detectable compounds, detection limits, and standard methods. All analyses are performed using highly sensitive liquid chromatography methods, such as LC-MS/MS and LC-MS QQQ. Some of the most popular packages for drinking water include the following:  Analysis according to the EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, including the 20 compounds listed under the “Sum of PFAS” parameter. A low-detection-limit option with a LOD of 1.5 ng/l for PFBA and 0.5 ng/l for the other compounds is available, performed according to ISO 21675. , Standard analyses according to several widely recognized PFAS testing standards:  CEN/TS 15968 (51 compounds, reporting limit 0.3–2 ng/l), EPA 1633 (40 compounds, reporting limit from 1.5 ng/l), EPA 533 (25 compounds, reporting limit 2 ng/l)., Extended analysis of 57 selected compounds with an in-house method similar to EPA 533 or ISO 21675. The detection limit is 0.2 ng/l for the majority of target PFAS.. Target compound lists for each analysis are available upon request. Apart from the EU Drinking Water Directive analysis, all packages can be adapted for natural water matrices. However, if you have samples that are known to be highly contaminated, please see our options for PFAS analysis of wastewater and highly contaminated water. Projects are priced based on the selected method and the number of samples submitted in one batch. Please describe your analysis goals and any specific requirements when requesting an offer, so that our experts can prepare an accurate quote.

Analysis to screen a material for the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The test is performed with a pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (py-GC-MS) according to the ISO 7270-1 standard. The sample is pyrolyzed, which is followed by separation and identification with GC-MS. The obtained pyrogram is then compared to a blank sample that does not contain any fire retardants. We also offer the analysis for electrotechnical products as per IEC 62321-6. Please ask our experts for more information about this option.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements and the rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of Be, Ba, Co, Al, Mg, Cu, Li, Mn, Ag, Sn, Ti, V, Zn, Tl, B, Hg, Mo, Fe, Ca, K, U, P, Cd, Na, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb, As, and Se in water samples with ICP-MS-technique. The sample is homogenized and acidified (HNO3), after which the analysis is performed from the liquid phase. The displayed price applies to natural waters. If the sample contains a lot of solids or the matrix is significantly different from natural water (for example, wastewater and industrial waters), additional steps may be needed, and this will be reflected in the price. The concentration of each element is reported in µg/l.

ICP-OES measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples. Pre-treatment of the sample with aqua regia decomposition is included in the price. The following elements are quantified using the ICP-OES technique: Ag, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn. The concentrations are expressed in mg/kg d.m. The analysis is also available with an express turnaround time. Ask our experts for more information. More specific packages, such as heavy metals or nutrients, can also be provided for soil, sediment, or sludge samples.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The price includes two parallel measurements. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The ash, drying and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material need to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Possible element packages: O, CHNS, and CHNOS.

Analysis of gaseous samples using Raman spectroscopy.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation is subject to additional costs.

Determination of microplastics in biological samples of animal origin using FTIR. The results of the analysis will specify different types of polymers by size. These projects are always handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our experts using the form below to discuss the suitability of the analysis for your samples.

Determination of selected volatile organic compounds (VOC) in water using the GC-MS and GC-FID techniques. Analysis can be conducted according to the following standard methods: EPA 624, EPA 5021A, EPA 8260, EPA 8015, EN ISO 10301, ISO 11423-1, and EN ISO 15680 The results of the analysis are reported in µg/L. Analysis includes the following analytes: Analyte: Reporting limits: chloromethane 1 µg/l bromomethane 1 µg/l dichloromethane 0.1 µg/l dibromimetaani 1 µg/l bromochloromethane 2 µg/l trichloromethane (chloroform) 0.1 µg/l tribromomethane (bromoform) 0.2 µg/l bromodichloromethane 0.1 µg/l dibromochloromethane 0.1 µg/l sum 4 trihalometanit 0.5 µg/l tetrachloromethane 0.1 µg/l trichlorofluoromethane 1 µg/l dichlorodifluoromethane 1 µg/l monochloroethane 1 µg/l 1,1-dichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,2-dichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,2-dibromietaani 0.5 µg/l 1,1,1-trichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,2-trichloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane 0.1 µg/l 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 1 µg/l vinyl chloride 0.1 µg/l 1,1-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l cis-1,2-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l trans-1,2-dichloroethene 0.1 µg/l amount of 1,2-dichloroethene 0.2 µg/l trichloroethylene 0.1 µg/l sum of 11 chlorinated hydrocarbons 1.1 µg/l tetrachloroethene 0.1 µg/l Sum of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene 0.2 µg/l sum 5 chlorinated ethylenes 0.5 µg/l 1,2-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,3-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 2,2-dichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,2,3-trichloropropane 1 µg/l 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 1 µg/l 1,1-dichloro-1-propene 1 µg/l cis-1,3-dichloro-1-propene 1 µg/l trans-1,3-dichloropropene 1 µg/l hexachlorobutadiene 1 µg/l 2-chlorotoluene 1 µg/l 4-chlorotoluene 1 µg/l monochlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l bromobenzene 1 µg/l 1,2-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,3-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,4-dichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l amount of 3 dichlorobenzene 0.3 µg/l 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,2,4- trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene 0.1 µg/l amount of 3 trichlorobenzene 0.4 µg/l benzene 0.1 µg/l toluene 0.5 µg/l ethylbenzene 0.1 µg/l o-xylene 0.1 µg/l m/p-xylene 0.2 µg/l sum of xylenes 0.3 µg/l summa BTEX 1 µg/l board one 0.2 µg/l isopropylbenzene 1 µg/l n-propylbenzene 1 µg/l 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene 1 µg/l 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene 1 µg/l n-butylbenzene 1 µg/l sec-butylbenzene 1 µg/l tert-butylbenzene 1 µg/l p-isopropyltoluene 1 µg/l naphthalene 1 µg/l Diisopropyl ether (DIPE) 0.6 µg/l ETBE (ethyl tert-butyl ether) 0.2 µg/l MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) 0.2 µg/l tert-amyl ethyl ether (TAEE) 0.2 µg/l TAME 0.2 µg/l tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) 5 µg/l ethanol 100 µg/l A customized offer can also be prepared if you are interested in analyzing only individual compounds from a sample. Suitable sample containers for analysis can be ordered through us. Sample containers picked up from Measurlabs are included in the price of the analysis, but sample containers can also be shipped to the customer for a separate fee.