On September 2, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water, in partnership with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, published draft Method 1633. The method addresses 40 Per- and Polyflouroalkyl Substances(PFAS) in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate, and fish tissue and can be used in various applications, including NPDES permits. While the method is not yet required for CWA compliance monitoring until promulgated by the EPA through rulemaking, it is recommended now for use in individual permits.
Historically, EPA has published draft methods after completing a single-laboratory validation report. However, in this case, due to many public and stakeholder requests, the method is being made available while EPA prepares their report. The DoD is beginning a multi-laboratory validation study of the procedure before years’ end and aims to complete it in 2022, in collaboration with the Office of Water and the Office of Land and Emergency Management. In the meantime, the Office of Water encourages laboratories, regulatory authorities, and other interested parties to review and use the draft method, with the understanding that it is subject to revision.
Vista Analytical Laboratory (Vista), recently acquired by Enthalpy Analytical, has been patiently waiting for this method to be released since it provides technical justification for the use of the LC-MS/MS Isotope Dilution method we developed in 2013. The use of Isotope Dilution technique provides for the most accurate data in environmental matrices.
Vista intends to participate in the multi-lab validation study which will involve the analysis of a myriad of samples across multiple matrices. This long-awaited method has already generated significant interest from the industry, and we are in the process of independent validation of the draft method to offer to clients in the near-term.
Resources
Read the EPA’s full announcement here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-first-validated-laboratory-method-test-pfas-wastewater-surface-water
To access the draft method: Draft Method 1633 for the analysis of PFAS in aqueous, solid, biosolids, and tissue samples by LC-MS/MS (pdf) (821-D-21-001, August 2021)
Enthalpy Analytical is a premier provider of analytical testing services. Our dedicated PFAS labs hold 21 state accreditations and are US DoD accredited and specialize in the determination of dioxins and furans, PCBs, PFAS, PAHs, PBDEs, PCNs and other semi-volatile organic contaminants. Using the powerful techniques of High Resolution Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) along with USEPA, CARB, and other proprietary methodologies.
For more information on Draft Method 1633 or questions regarding PFAS testing, please contact us here.
