PFAS IN SOILS & OTHER SOLIDS

Home / PFAS Matrices / PFAS in Soils & Other Solids

Pace® works with industry and local leaders to help protect their communities with advanced PFAS testing services for soil and a wide range of other solids.  

THE SOURCE OF PFAS IN SOIL

Soil can become contaminated with PFAS in a variety of ways, such as wastewater discharge, biosolids, incinerator ash, and more. Through plant uptake, this PFAS can travel to the food we eat. Drinking water sources can also be contaminated through runoff into local waterways and seepage into underground aquifers.

CERCLA CHANGES THE PFAS REGULATORY LANDSCAPE

The U.S. EPA has not targeted PFAS in soil as aggressively as in drinking water, but that’s about to change. In August of 2022, the agency issued a proposed rule defining PFOA and PFOS hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This would give the EPA the authority to designate a site a Superfund site and issue cleanup orders for PFOA and PFOS releases – past or present. Cases that were closed years ago may even be reopened, and property owners could be on the hook for contamination they didn’t cause.

STATES GET AGGRESSIVE WITH PFAS POLLUTERS

Many states are promising action against PFAS polluters as well. For example, Washington State has already declared PFAS a hazardous substance under its Model Toxics Control Act. This state law gives the WA Department of Ecology the authority to assess sites suspected of being contaminated with PFAS and to issue remediation and cleanup orders. Currently, Washington is targeting PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and Gen X.  Other states, such as New Jersey, are establishing soil remediation standards for specific PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and GenX.

REQUEST A PFAS BRIEFING FOR YOUR STATE

Pace® offers PFAS testing services across the country through its nationwide network of certified and accredited labs. Our experts can bring your compliance and risk-management teams up to speed quickly on current and pending PFAS action in your area.

PRIMARY PFAS TEST METHODS FOR SOIL & OTHER SOLIDS

Multiple test methods can be used to analyze for PFAS in soil and other solids. If you are complying with state sampling mandates, always check to see if a specific test method is required in your state.

ATSM D8421/Method 8327

A rapid, definitive method for analyzing PFAS in aqueous and solid matrices utilizing LC/MS/MS and isotope dilution

DOD QSM 5.4 (Table B-15)

DOD-developed quality control standards for analyzing PFAS in a sample

EPA Draft Method 1633

A draft method for analyzing up to 40 PFAS compounds in non-potable water, solids, landfill leachate, and biota

PFAS by Isotope Dilution

A test method developed by Pace® for analyzing targeted PFAS in matrices other than drinking water

TOP Assay

A method for analyzing PFAS precursors in liquid and solid matrices

SPECIALTY TESTING SERVICES FOR PFAS IN SOLIDS

Remediating PFAS in soil often requires locating the source of that PFAS. Pace® has developed testing methods and protocols for analyzing PFAS across several vectors of contamination.

Pace Analytical PFAS DoD AFFF01 icon
AFFF

Used to fight chemical and aviation fires

Pace Analytical PFAS biosolids icon
Biosolids

Land-applied as fertilizer

Pace Analytical PFAS Textile Mill icon
Incinerator ash

For particles of incomplete combustion (PICs)

PFAS MATTERS

Stay up to date on PFAS in the news and get opinions from Pace® PFAS experts by subscribing you our blog: PFAS Matters.

REASONS TO CHOOSE PACE®

Pace Analytical PFAS Experienced Icon

EXPERIENCED

Pace® has been an industry leader in persistent organic pollutant testing for over three decades.
Pace Analytical PFAS Certified icon

CERTIFIED

We’re certified/accredited by NELAC, ISO, DOD, DOE, and in every state with a PFAS lab certification program.

Pace Analytical PFAS Reliable Icon

RELIABLE

For emergencies, our Rapid Response Team can provide defensible results in as little as 24 hours.

Committed

COMMITTED

We are committed to helping our customers advance their important work through building strong relationships, delivering upon expectations, and providing exceptional customer service.

Pace Analytical PFAS Advanced Icon

ADVANCED

We can test for PFAS in both solid and aqueous matrices, including potable and non-potable waters, soils, and biota.

Pace Analytical PFAS Innovative icon

INNOVATIVE

We’re on the leading edge of science, working with EPA, DOD, ASTM, and others to develop new methods for analyzing PFAS.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP