PFAS Testing Capabailities

Summit Environmental Technologies is proud to announce its approval for UCMR5, EPA Method 533, and EPA Method 537 PFAS analysis. Providing industry-leading testing capabilities is what Summit strives for, as we are one of the first laboratories across the nation to offer such PFAS testing capabilities.

Numerous studies have shown that PFAS chemicals are harmful to humans, nature, and aquatic life. The full negative effects continue to be reported, as prior research has shown that the chemicals affect development and reproduction across the ecosystem. The EPA has also recently stated that PFAS exposure may cause cancer. Because of the dangers that PFAS can cause, the new congressional infrastructure bill has allocated 10 billion dollars for cleanup and testing.

Due to its chemical structure, PFAS can repel oil and water. It has extensively been used in consumer and industrial products, such as in non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and waterproofing materials. Scientists now believe that PFAS can be detected in all major water supplies in the U.S. Summit Environmental is here to give you safety and peace of mind.

History of the Forever Chemical

PFAS was first manufactured by 3M in 1947 and became widely used in teflon a few years later. In the following decades, PFAS was found in airports, firefighter sights, and military sites due to its chemical properties. It was soon discovered that the chemicals were toxic in both humans as well as animals.

PFAS contamination has been found to spread from mother to unborn child. For those exposed, concentrations can be found in human and aquatic life blood. The dangers of PFAS became widely exposed in a 1999 case where manufacturers dumped the chemicals into the Ohio River, which affected the water supply for 80,000 people.

In 2005, the EPA concluded that PFOA, a chemical member within PFAS, was likely a carcinogen. PFAS is believed to be detected in 98% of Americans today. Exposure can result in kidney and testicular cancer, immune dysfunctions, and other diseases.

The EPA has begun taking action in regulating PFAS, Summit Environmental Technologies is one of the nation’s only laboratories to assist your testing needs. The USEPA has included 29 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCMR5) to decide whether such compounds should be included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Tests that can be conducted include EPA Methods 533 and 537.1.

Common PFAS: Abbreviations and Names

Abbreviation Chemical name
PFOS Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
PFOA (aka C8) Perfluorooctanoic acid
PFNA Perfluorononanoic acid
PFDA Perfluorodecanoic acid
PFOSA (aka FOSA) Perfluorooctane sulfonaminde
MeFOSAA (aka Me-PFOSA-AcOH) 2-(N-Methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid
Et-FOSAA (aka Et-PFOSA-AcOH) 2-(N-Ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid
PFHxS Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid

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