4 Questions to Ask for Strategic PFAS Analysis

Do you need support with PFAS analysis? With increasing scrutiny on polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), manufacturers, suppliers and environmental professionals need precise answers about the presence, type and quantities of PFAS in products, materials or environmental samples. But effective PFAS testing requires more than sending off a sample—it starts with strategy. Asking the right questions upfront can prevent wasted time and resources on inappropriate or inconclusive testing.
Read on to see the 4 key questions to ask prior to PFAS testing – as well as PFAS analysis basics, testing methods and more.


What Is PFAS Analysis?
PFAS analysis refers to laboratory testing used to detect, identify and quantify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in various matrices. These persistent “forever chemicals” are increasingly regulated due to concerns about their health and environmental impacts. With thousands of known PFAS compounds—many of which behave differently in the environment and have varying toxicological profiles—PFAS analysis is technically complex and often requires advanced, highly sensitive methods to get reliable results.
PFAS analysis is essential for manufacturers, regulators, environmental consultants and anyone responsible for compliance, product safety or environmental stewardship. Applications include:
- Product formulation: Screen ingredients, additives and packaging materials to avoid PFAS and support “PFAS-free” product claims.
- Environmental monitoring: Test soil, water and air emissions to assess PFAS contamination and guide remediation efforts.
- Drinking water compliance: Ensure water supplies meet federal and state PFAS limits with validated analytical methods.
- Waste stream analysis: Identify PFAS in industrial waste, leachate or biosolids to support safe disposal and regulatory compliance.
- Legal and regulatory defense: Back up claims and defend against litigation with high-quality, defensible PFAS data.
Different applications may be accommodated by different testing requirements—some only need to confirm whether PFAS are present at all, while others demand precise identification and quantification of specific compounds. Choosing the right analytical method depends on the matrix, the question you’re trying to answer, and the level of detail required.
Understanding PFAS Analysis Methods
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to testing for PFAS. Different testing methods are designed for different types of samples (called “matrices”) and answer different kinds of questions, like whether any PFAS are present at all, which specific compounds are there, or how much of each one exists. Some are better for drinking water, others for soil or industrial waste, and still others for screening complex products.
Analyzing PFAS relies on advanced laboratory techniques to detect and quantify these chemicals, often at parts-per-trillion levels. In general, there are three levels of PFAS testing: screening, non-target analysis and targeted analysis. Depending on the matrix and analytical goals, testing may include analytical techniques such as isotope dilution, combustion ion chromatography (CIC), total organic fluorine analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined a series of standardized analytical methods for PFAS testing in different matrices, each designed to address specific regulatory needs and sample types with appropriate levels of sensitivity and precision. Here’s a quick look at some of the most commonly used EPA methods for PFAS analysis and when you might use them.
Method | Matrix | Targets | Best For |
EPA Method 537.1 | Drinking water | 18 PFAS compounds | Monitoring regulated PFAS in drinking water using LC-MS/MS |
EPA Method 533 | Drinking water | Broad range of PFAS compounds, including short-chain PFAS | Broader PFAS profile; complements 537.1 for water sampling |
EPA Test Method 8327 | Non-potable water (groundwater, surface water, wastewater, stormwater) | 24 PFAS compounds | Rapid screening of industrial wastewater |
EPA Method 1633 | Non-potable water, soils, sediments, biosolids, biological tissues, other environmental samples | 40 PFAS compounds | Broad-spectrum testing across diverse environmental matrices |
EPA Method 1621 | Complex aqueous matrices | Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) | Initial screening when specific PFAS compounds are unknown |
4 Questions to Ask for Strategic PFAS Analysis
The best PFAS analysis results begin with a plan. Whether you’re checking for regulatory compliance, evaluating product safety or assessing environmental impact, start by identifying the questions you need to answer. A strategic testing plan helps:
- Match methods to your specific goals.
- Minimize costs.
- Avoid repeat testing.
- Ensure defensible, high-quality results that meet data quality objectives.
These four questions will help you define your testing goals, choose the right methods and get meaningful results from your PFAS analysis.
Ask these 4 questions before conducting PFAS analysis to inform a strategic approach.
1. What matrices must be tested?
Are you analyzing water, soil, air emissions, biosolids or finished products? Different matrices require different sample preparation methods and analytical techniques. It’s also important to consider whether the material is homogenous or contains diverse layers or components, as that can significantly affect PFAS sampling, preparation and analytical methods.
2. Is the type of PFAS known?
When the specific compounds are unknown, non-target analysis using techniques like HRMS can help identify what’s in the sample. If you already know which PFAS compounds you’re looking for, targeted PFAS analysis using LC-MS/MS is the most efficient way to obtain precise concentration data.
3. Why are we conducting testing?
Clarifying your goals is essential. Are you trying to meet a regulatory requirement, investigate suspected supply chain contamination, ensure product safety or defend against legal action? Your purpose for testing will drive decisions about which methods to use, what kind of data you need and how results should be reported.
4. Which testing methods should be used?
Once you understand your matrix and your goals, you can determine whether there’s an applicable EPA method that fits. Some situations may require a specific method for regulatory compliance, while others may allow for a more cost-effective alternative. It’s also critical to consider the level of precision needed—some testing applications demand detection limits in the parts-per-trillion range to meet regulatory thresholds. In cases where an EPA method does not exist or is not required, customized PFAS testing strategies can be developed.
Battelle: Your Partner for PFAS Analysis
When it comes to PFAS laboratory analysis, Battelle is a proven leader. Our accredited PFAS analysis labs offer comprehensive testing services across all environmental matrices and complex materials. We don’t just test—we help you design a testing strategy, interpret results and develop actionable solutions. With nearly two decades of innovation in PFAS analytical methods, including method development and validation, we’re ready to meet your toughest challenges.
Ready to learn more? Talk to a PFAS expert at Battelle, and download the white paper to explore analytical strategies and EPA methods: A Strategic Approach to PFAS Analysis.
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