Rapid PFAS analysis methods could reduce costs and expand environmental testing beyond specialized facilities.
A team of scientists at Sandia National Laboratories has developed a high-speed PFAS detector that can significantly reduce the time and cost required to identify so-called “forever chemicals” in water.
The approach, described by researchers Ryan Davis and Nathan Bays, can detect trace amounts of PFAS in just minutes and could change the way environmental monitoring and public health testing is conducted.
This method addresses a long-standing bottleneck in PFAS analysis. Current testing techniques can take hours or even days to confirm the presence of a chemical in a single water sample.
In contrast, the Sandia team’s system can detect concentrations as low as parts per trillion while providing results in about five minutes.
Researchers say the development could help regulators track contamination more efficiently and ultimately make PFAS testing more accessible to communities and households.
Why PFAS testing is time-consuming and expensive
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a large class of synthetic chemicals that are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products.
These compounds are resistant to heat, water, and oil, and are used in everything from food packaging to firefighting foam.
Its durability also means that it breaks down very slowly in nature. As a result, PFAS can accumulate in soils, water systems, wildlife, and human populations.
Monitoring these contaminants typically involves complex laboratory workflows. Traditional PFAS testing begins with a large volume of water (often 1 liter or more) that is suspected of containing PFAS.
Researchers must repeatedly concentrate PFAS using specialized extraction cartridges before analyzing samples by mass spectrometry.
This multistep process requires expensive materials and careful handling in the laboratory. The individual cartridges used in this procedure can cost hundreds of dollars each, contributing to the overall cost of PFAS analysis.
For scientists studying contamination or developing removal techniques, longer workflows can slow progress. It also limits access to PFAS testing outside specialized laboratories.
Faster PFAS Detection Using DESI Mass Spectrometry
Sandia researchers discovered the solution while experimenting with a technique called desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) combined with a mass spectrometer.
DESI works by spraying electrically charged droplets onto a surface. These droplets remove and ionize specific compounds, allowing them to be detected and identified by the instrument.
Initially, the team planned to use this approach to see if PFAS molecules were attached to experimental materials designed to capture the contaminants. Instead, the technique revealed a much stronger signal than expected.
Further testing showed that the method could detect increasingly smaller amounts of PFAS, from parts per million to parts per trillion. Its sensitivity level is comparable to traditional laboratory PFAS analysis and significantly reduces workflow.
How the new PFAS test method works
New PFAS detectors utilize tiny sorbent materials about the size of grain grains. This material is placed into a water sample, where it absorbs PFAS compounds.
After approximately 3 minutes, remove the sorbent and place it in front of the mass spectrometer. Charged droplets are then sprayed onto that surface using DESI technology. The droplets lift the PFAS molecules from the material and carry them directly to the instrument for analysis.
Mass spectrometers identify compounds and measure their concentrations almost instantly. The PFAS testing process takes approximately 5 minutes from start to finish.
This method bypasses multiple enrichment and extraction steps, significantly reducing the resources required for each test.
Potential applications beyond laboratory research
Although the system is still in the research phase, scientists have released details of the technology to facilitate further development and potential commercialization.
If translated into a practical device, high-speed PFAS detectors could support environmental monitoring programs by allowing regulatory agencies to collect and analyze more samples in less time. Faster PFAS testing could also speed up the identification of contamination events.
The researchers are also looking at broader applications of the technology. Similar detection methods could be applied to other environmental pollutants, expanding the scope of chemical monitoring.
Beyond water analysis, this approach could also be useful for measuring chemical emissions, or “off-gassing,” from materials, an area relevant to several research fields such as national security and environmental analysis.
Growing need for easily accessible PFAS analysis
As research continues into the potential health effects of long-term exposure, the need for reliable PFAS testing is increasing. Research suggests that some PFAS compounds may be associated with adverse health effects, even at low concentrations.
Contamination has been documented in a variety of locations, including areas around military installations where firefighting foams containing PFAS were historically used.
In the United States, the effects of PFAS on groundwater and soil have led to investigation and remediation efforts at several US Air Force bases.
Scientists working on the Sandia project say improving the speed and accessibility of PFAS analysis could help communities better understand the risks to their local water supplies.
Faster, lower-cost PFAS detectors could eventually make routine testing more viable for environmental authorities and, in some cases, households concerned about the quality of their drinking water.
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