PFAS Water Testing Services
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial applications, firefighting foams, and consumer products. These compounds are persistent in the environment and may accumulate over time in water systems.
PFAS Contamination: What You Should Know
Common PFAS compounds found in drinking water include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), though thousands of variants exist. The EPA has established health advisory levels and recently proposed enforceable limits for several PFAS compounds, recognizing the urgent need for regulation.
Testing for PFAS in drinking water is essential, especially for homes near industrial sites, military installations, or areas with known contamination. Unlike lead, PFAS cannot be removed by simple flushing or boiling. Specialized filtration systems using activated carbon or reverse osmosis are necessary to effectively reduce PFAS concentrations and protect household health from these persistent environmental contaminants.
PFAS TESTING SERVICES
PFOS & PFOA Testing
Targeted analysis for the most commonly regulated PFAS compounds affecting drinking water systems.
Residential PFAS Testing
Property-specific sampling for homes concerned about groundwater exposure or municipal system impact.
Commercial PFAS Testing
Testing solutions for businesses, schools, industrial sites, and multi-unit properties requiring documentation and compliance support.
Private Well Owners
Groundwater near industrial or military sites may be impacted. NJ well detections rank among the highest nationally.
Municipal Tap Users
Several NJ systems have exceeded MCLs. Tap testing may differ from utility averages.
Commercial Buildings
Hotels, restaurants, and healthcare facilities may require PFAS compliance documentation.
Real Estate Buyers
Properties near military installations or Superfund sites should include PFAS testing before purchase.
Why PFAS Testing Matters?
PFAS contamination in drinking water is a widespread problem affecting communities nationwide, yet many homeowners remain unaware of their exposure risk. Testing for these “forever chemicals” is essential because PFAS are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making detection impossible without laboratory analysis. Understanding your water’s PFAS levels is the first critical step toward protecting your family’s health from these persistent toxic substances.
Municipal water testing provides only a general snapshot of community-wide contamination and may not reflect the specific PFAS levels at your tap. Water quality varies significantly between neighborhoods and individual homes based on proximity to contamination sources, local groundwater conditions, and distribution system characteristics. Your home could have elevated PFAS concentrations even if city-wide averages appear acceptable, making individual household testing crucial for accurate risk assessment.
PFAS exposure poses serious long-term health consequences that develop gradually over years of consumption. These chemicals accumulate in the bloodstream and organs, with half-lives ranging from several years to indefinite persistence in the human body. Early detection through testing allows families to implement protective measures before bioaccumulation reaches harmful levels. Waiting for symptoms to appear means significant exposure has already occurred, as health effects often manifest only after prolonged contamination.
EPA Methods 537.1 and 533 — why both matter for complete PFAS analysis
Two EPA-approved methods exist for PFAS in drinking water. They are complementary — each captures compounds the other may miss. A comprehensive PFAS analysis uses both.
EPA Method 537.1
The primary EPA method for PFAS in drinking water. Covers all six regulated compounds plus 18 additional compounds. Uses solid phase extraction with LC-MS/MS detection at detection limits of 0.53–1.0 ppt for regulated compounds.
- PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, PFBS
- 24 additional PFAS compounds
- Detection limit: <1 ppt for regulated compounds
- Required for federal MCL compliance verification
EPA Method 533
Developed to capture shorter-chain PFAS compounds not well-recovered by Method 537.1. Particularly important for NJ groundwater where GenX and short-chain replacements have been detected near industrial sites and manufacturing facilities.
- 25 PFAS compounds including short-chain variants
- GenX (HFPO-DA) and replacement compounds
- Critical for NJ PFAS impact zone testing
- Combined with 537.1 for complete picture
PFAS in the NY–NJ–CT region — what the monitoring data shows
NJ Groundwater
New Jersey has some of the highest PFAS detection rates in the U.S. Historical chemical manufacturing in Passaic County, military installations, and firefighting foam use at airports have contaminated multiple aquifer zones. Several NJ municipal systems have exceeded EPA MCLs.
Long Island Aquifers
Nassau and Suffolk County aquifer systems have recorded PFAS detections from industrial discharge and firefighting foam. The Bethpage Naval Air Station plume is among the most documented PFAS contamination events in the Northeast. Private wells in impacted zones warrant testing.
NYC Municipal Supply
NYC’s Catskill-Delaware watershed supply has tested below detection limits for PFOA and PFOS in recent DEP monitoring. The Croton system and specific distribution zone blending events warrant periodic verification testing.
Know If PFAS Are Present in Your Water
PFAS cannot be seen or tasted only certified testing provides certainty.
Who Is Most at Risk from PFAS Exposure?
Certain populations face heightened vulnerability to PFAS exposure. Pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems require extra protection. PFAS can transfer through the placenta and breast milk, affecting fetal development and infant health. Testing becomes especially important for families planning pregnancies or with young children, as early-life exposure causes the most severe developmental impacts.
Knowing your PFAS levels empowers informed decision-making about water treatment solutions. Different PFAS compounds require specific filtration technologies, and testing results guide selection of appropriate systems. Regular testing also verifies filter effectiveness and indicates when replacement is necessary. Without baseline and ongoing testing, families cannot confirm whether their water is safe or if mitigation efforts are successfully reducing exposure to these dangerous contaminants.