Adressing the impact of PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a ubiquitous group of chemicals with far-reaching effects. Understanding PFAS is crucial, as these "forever chemicals" continue to impact our health and environment. For scientists, there is an extra concern: PFAS can contaminate samples, potentially skewing the data.
The global demand for fast, straightforward, and regulatory-compliant testing of PFAS is reaching unprecedented levels. This highlights the urgent need for accurate detection methods and the use of PFAS-free products to ensure reliable results.
To address these challenges, Sartorius offers PFAS-free products to meet regulatory standards and protect our health and the environment. Additionally, Sartorius provides resources such as webinars, podcasts, and articles to help our industry understand the complexities of PFAS and stay informed about the latest developments.
Can PFAS Be Removed From Water?
Removing PFAS from water is a complex task, but advancements in technology are making it possible. The Arium® lab water systems utilize multi-stage treatment processes to reduce PFAS to undetectable levels. This ensures the highest water quality standards for your laboratory analyses that require pure or ultrapure water.
PFAS-Free Solutions
Arium® Water Purification Systems: Reduce PFAS Below Detectable Limits
Offering advanced lab water purification systems, the Sartorius Arium® series is designed and engineered to meet the highest standards, providing high-quality pure and ultrapure water with exceptional reliability and efficiency.
Key features:
- Reliable Production of High-Quality Water
- Application tailored and Modular Design
- Flexible Integration to Your Laboratory Environment
- Intuitive Menu Navigation including User-Guidance
- Various Service Offerings for Installation, Qualification and Maintenance
Explore Arium® Lab Water Systems
Sartopore Evo® PES Membrane Filter for Form and Fill
Ensure stability and reduce product loss in form and fill with Sartopore Evo® sterilizing-grade filters. Featuring a modified PES membrane, Sartopore Evo® Filters minimize protein and excipient adsorption while maximizing performance.
Key features:
- Increase Filtration Performance
- Reduce Environmental Impact
- Strengthen Security of Supply
Pipette Tips: Certified PFAS-Free for Clean and Confident Pipetting
Engineered for precision and purity, Sartorius pipette tips ensure reproducible results across a wide range of liquid handling applications. Free from contaminants like PFAS, our tips support high-quality research with trusted performance and reliable compatibility.
Key Features:
- Universal Fit with Sartorius and Other Major Pipette Brands
- Precision-Molded for Accurate and Reproducible Results
- Available in Filtered and Non-Filtered Formats
- Cleanroom Manufacturing for Maximum Sample Safety
Resources on PFAS
Frequently Asked Questions
PFAS chemicals are a large family of over 4,700 synthetic molecules, recognized for their strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Since the 1940s, PFAS have been popular for their exceptional resistance to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. This has made them a common choice for a wide range of consumer products. But the very durability that makes PFAS so useful is also why they stick around in the environment for so long.
We come across PFAS in our daily lives without even realizing it. The non-stick properties of cookware, the grease resistance in fast food packaging, and the water repellency of raincoats all owe their functionality to PFAS. These chemicals are also found in certain cleaning products and are essential in high-performance firefighting foams used to fight oil and gasoline fires.
PFAS find their way into the environment from industrial processes, the manufacturing and use of PFAS-containing products. They can be released through waste streams, and their stability means they can build up over time. Because of their widespread use, PFAS have been found in different environmental samples like soil, water, and even the air we breathe.
PFAS can cause significant environmental and health issues due to their persistence. They accumulate in wildlife, leading to ecological damage, and can contaminate water supplies, posing risks to all life forms. Human exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as reproductive and developmental problems, hormonal disruptions, and increased cancer risks, according to agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In response to the potential dangers of PFAS, regulatory bodies in the US and EU are stepping up with controls on their use. The EPA has established health advisories for certain PFAS and is developing broader regulations, while the EU plans to phase out non-essential PFAS uses by 2030. These efforts reflect a growing consensus on the need to manage PFAS risks effectively.
PFAS testing typically involves collecting environmental samples—such as water, soil, or air—and analyzing them using advanced techniques like liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This method allows for the precise detection and quantification of PFAS compounds, even at very low levels. Samples must be carefully handled and processed to avoid any cross contamination that could affect the accuracy of the test results. Without saying, it is crucial to use PFAS-free water for these analytics.
Sensitive analytical methods, particularly in environmental monitoring and toxicological studies, face a high risk of PFAS contamination. Techniques like liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, essential for detecting trace pollutants, may be affected if PFAS are present in solvents or equipment, leading to less reliable results.
Common sources include lab equipment and packaging materials that inadvertently carry these chemicals. Lab personnel can also unknowingly bring these chemicals into the lab on everyday items like clothing and personal care products. One significant source of PFAS in the lab is the water used for experiments, which, if not adequately treated, can introduce these chemicals into samples.