A Technique for Determining Total Oxidizable Precursors (TOP) of Perfluroalkyl Compounds

Characterization of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment
Oral Presentation

Prepared by

Contact Information: charlesneslund@eurofinsus.com; 717-556-7231


ABSTRACT

PFAS compounds have been manufactured and in use for many years. Over that time and due to variables in the production processes like electrofluorination, many different chemistries of PFAS compounds have been produced and used. Many of these compounds have not yet been fully characterized and therefore, analytical standards are typically not available. This presents a challenge for the accurate assessment of PFAS contamination at environmental sites.

A new method, developed by Houtz and co-workers, can be set-up and commercialized that converts polyfluorinated precursor compounds to a more studied and analyzable perfluorinated chemistries such as PFOA and PFOS. This presentation will discuss the set-up and application of this technique and it's utility for risk assessment.