Merit Laboratories is Michigan’s PFAS Laboratory

Merit Laboratories is Michigan’s environmental laboratory for PFAS analytical testing.  Merit offers two analytical options for PFAS: EPA 537 and ASTM D7979.

EPA 537: Merit Laboratories performs EPA 537 in drinking water for the list of 14 PFAS substances that are EPA-approved by the method. EPA 537 is a prescriptive Drinking Water Method for 14 PFCs.  It can only be used for the 14 compounds in drinking water samples and is limited in the allowable modifications, according to the method.  The MDEQ list of 24 PFCs requires a different method.

ASTM D7979: This is a method for non-drinking water matrices. Merit Laboratories can analyze for the MDEQ PFAS requested list of 24 PFAS substances using ASTM D7979. During our method development for ASTM D7979, Merit was able consistently demonstrate much better recoveries for all 24 PFAS compounds.  The better recoveries are partly attributed to much less sample handling.  Sample handling can both contaminate and remove compounds of interest in your samples. This method has been utilized in Australia to assist in an aggressive approach to PFC contamination issues. 

Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated organic chemicals, which include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).  PFAS chemicals are persistent and bioaccumulate. Persistent means they do not break down in the environment and bioaccumulate refers to the process of building up over time in the blood and organs.

Of all the PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS have been the most studied.  PFOA and PFOS have been used in the manufacturing of carpet, clothing, shoes, cookware, packaging, oil and water repellents, furniture, take-out food containers, and countless other application like the surfactants needed in chrome plating and the main compounds that researchers hope can be used in liquid breathing.  PFAS compounds have also been used by the Department of Defense (DoD) for fire extinguishing at military base airfields at locations throughout the United States.

Contact Merit Laboratories to learn more how about it can assist you on your next PFAS project.