PFAS in wastewater and biosolids present a difficult challenge as they are not removed/destroyed through conventional treatment. The conversion of precursors into persistent perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates during treatment poses further human and ecological risks. To discuss this issue, Bharat Chandramouli, Ph. D., Environmental Laboratory Product Manager, North America at SGS, joins an expert panel […]
25
Jun
Jun
Bharat Chandramouli, Ph. D, Environmental Laboratory Product Manager, at SGS North America, joins an expert panel at the upcoming A&WMA ACE Virtual Conference to discuss, “Ambient Air Methods, Analytical Challenges and Breakthroughs Associated with PFAS”, Tuesday, June 30, 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM ET. The science related to PFAS in air is still in progress, […]
02
Jun
Jun
The annual DoD EMDQ Workshop, usually a source of great information and networking, was cancelled this year. To cover updates that would have been discussed at the workshop, the DoD team hosted an informative webinar on multiple topics. Highlighted below are some PFAS methods updates from Janice Willey’s May 19 presentation. The PFAS Isotope Dilution […]
20
May
May
Information on the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in the aquatic ecosystems that North American indigenous communities depend on is scarce. Given the particular importance of these ecosystems for food and economic security of indigenous communities, assessing the presence of contaminants becomes very important. Therefore, we wanted to highlight an excellent study [1] […]
31
Mar
Mar
The PFAS on the regulatory radar, such as PFOS, PFOA, and other related targets on typical laboratory lists, are anionic, or neutral. Therefore, the methods are optimized for anionic PFAS and feature standardized solid extraction using methanol containing ammonia, and weak anion exchange cleanup. However, many aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) active ingredients can be […]
17
Mar
Mar
To our valued clients. SGS AXYS continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and restrictions closely. The laboratory is open and all laboratory operations including sample receiving are fully functional. The Canadian Federal Government and BC Provincial Government recognize the importance of US-Canadian essential services and commercial activity and have prioritized the continued movement of commercial […]
16
Mar
Mar
Summary SGS has developed and validated accurate, sensitive and accessible polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) analysis by GC-MS in support of the US EPA’s initiative to update the PCB measurement strategy for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Background Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous contaminants regulated under the US Clean Water Act. Currently, the […]
12
Feb
Feb
We in British Columbia love our Pacific wild salmon and view them as keystone species and indicators of ecosystem wellbeing. Numbers have dropped significantly recently from multiple stressors including climate change, habitat loss, pollution and more. With current and proposed pipelines that will carry diluted bitumen (dilbit) from the oil sands through spawning habitat and […]
29
Jan
Jan
The widespread use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) containing PFAS at airports all over the world has resulted in contamination of ground and surface water, and soil. In addition to the many ecosystem effects that are still being studied, how are microbial communities affected? Which PFAS are microbes able to degrade and how does […]
09
Jan
Jan
How many contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) can you assess from one set of mussels? Turns out if SGS AXYS is doing the measurement, it’s at least 330! Scientists Andrew James, Jennifer Lanksbury, Tarang Khangaonkar and James West from the University of Washington Tacoma, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories […]