Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manufactured compounds used in a variety of industries, such as aerospace, automotive, textiles, and electronics, and are used in some food packaging and firefighting materials. For example, they may be used to make products more resistant to stains, grease, and water. In the environment, some PFAS break down slowly, if at all, allowing bioaccumulation (concentration) to occur in humans and wildlife. Some have been found to be toxic to laboratory animals, producing reproductive, developmental, and systemic effects in laboratory tests. EPA methods for analyzing PFAS in environmental media are in various stages of development. This document summarizes EPA's efforts to develop validated robust analytical methods for groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and solids, including soils, sediments, and biosolids.

• PFAS methods and guidance for sampling and analyzing water and other environmental media-Technical Brief (PDF)(2 pp, 496 K, EPA/600/F-17/022h)