PFAS sampling is different from other types of sampling because PFAS are present in many things we use in our everyday life, such as water-resistant and stain-resistant products. PFAS can also be present in:

• Personal care products such as cosmetics and lotions.
• Insect repellants and sunscreens.
• Pizza boxes and fast food wrappers.
• Recycled paper products such as paper towels and notebook paper.
• Sampling equipment--in the material of the equipment itself or due to PFAS being used in the manufacturing process.
• Ordinary latex gloves.  (Because PFAS is in latex gloves, samplers  must use powderless nitrile gloves.)

Since PFAS are analyzed in such small quantities--parts per trillion--even the smallest cross-contamination could contribute to a false positive sample.  To learn more about which products contain PFAS and which do not, review the General PFAS Sampling Guidance document, below. Then use the media-specific guidance document for the specific type of sampling you are interested in.

PFAS Minimum Laboratory Analyte List

For residents

This document is intended for residents and homeowners to use when collecting their own sample to send to an environmental laboratory. Most laboratories will provide their own sample collection instructions. This guidance document may be used in conjunction with any sample collection instructions provided by the laboratory. This document does not supersede the laboratory’s sampling instructions.

The Residential Well Sampling Guidance for residents is also available at the Home Sampling Guidance page, along with information about Laboratories Offering Home Testing.

Download the Residential well PFAS Sampling Guidance - For Residents