Portable Sensors and Easy-to-use Analytical Approaches for PFAS Analysis

The presence of per/poly-fluorinated substances (PFAS) poses significant challenges to the environment and human health. PFAS are used in many commercial products and applications such as polymers, fire-retarding foams, cookware and food packaging, and their wide use pose significant risks due to their high stability, toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate. This presentation will describe recent work on the development of low-cost assays (spectroscopic, fluorescence and electrochemical) and portable sensing technologies for the detection and analysis of the broad spectrum of PFAS, highlighting novel detection mechanisms, analytical performance and potential for field deployment. If successful, the portability of these methods will enable greater spatial and temporal data resolution and provide a more comprehensive characterization and screening of environmental samples. A critical assessment of advantages and limitations of these methods, as well as future needs and opportunities to translate these technologies into the practice will be discussed.