Case Studies, Environmental, PFAS
/ Organomation
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Agency (MassDEP) has announced a new program for free PFAS testing for private well owners in the state of Massachusetts. Municipalities where 60% or more of residents receive drinking water from non-public water systems, such as from private wells supervised by the local Board of Health are eligible to apply.
The free laboratory analysis of private well water for PFAS will utilize EPA Method 537 or 537.1, of which Organomation’s 12 position N-EVAP without Teflon is used to prepare the samples for analysis through LC-MS/MS.
When sampling for PFAS, it important to minimize any background PFAS contamination, all equipment must be as free of fluorocarbon derivatives as possible. The only fluorocarbon-containing component used in Organomation’s N-EVAPs is Teflon tape, used in some fitting connections. Organomation can build an N-EVAP without this Teflon tape at no additional charge.
PFAS is a man-made, non-biodegradable chemical often found in firefighting foam, stain repellents, and the consumer products industry. Given its wide use, researchers have found that it has the potential to seep into surface soils, ground and surface water. PFAS exposure poses potential health risks for people who are immune comprised, women who are pregnant or nursing, and infants.
Potential sources of PFAS in groundwater may include airfields where firefighting foams were used, firefighting training areas, certain manufacturing facilities, and some waste disposal sites.
The MassDEP’s mission is to protect the public health and drinking water for all in the state. In October 2020, MassDEP published a PFAS public drinking water standard of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) individually or the sum of the six concentrations of PFAS.
To register for a free private well drinking water sampling kit, please visit https://dwp-pfas.madwpdep.org/. Applicants will receive a sampling kit and return to MassDEP free of charge.
Due to COVID-19, residents will be instructed to collect the water samples; DEP will not be present on site to collect the water sample for the free PFAS sampling program. For a video on how to collect a water sample, please visit https://youtu.be/zrwhwSI-R9M.
MassDEP will provide the results of the testing to the well owner along with technical assistance on any recommended steps. MassDEP will share the sample results, location, and well owner information with the local Board of Health for the municipality where the well is located.
Samples must be completed by June 30th 2021.
Contact an Organomation sales technician today for your labs’ sample preparation needs.