Envirolab Group is excited to announce Dr. Mohammad Talebi, R&D Scientist at our Sydney laboratory, will be presenting at the upcoming PFAS and Groundwater Workshop, to be held Thursday, 7th March 2019 at the City Campus of Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.
Mohammad will be presenting during the morning session at 11:45am on the analytics for sampling PFAS. In his presentation, Mohammad will cover major aspects of their analysis including sample preparation, regulations and instrumental considerations.

Although evidence on the risks associated with these chemicals are still evolving, concern nonetheless remains on the increased detection of these contaminants in the environment. Our leading role in offering our clients a quality service and a quick turnaround in the scientific testing for PFAS means that we are proud to share our knowledge and expertise and overall, be part of the global movement to drive continuous learning and development of this emerging contaminant. 

About the PFAS and Groundwater Workshop

The workshop is aimed to provide practitioners, regulators and professionals working in the water sector, the opportunity to gain knowledge and practice on PFAS-contaminated sites. The workshop will also provide a forum for key stakeholders to share knowledge across organisations, identify key knowledge gaps and to discuss collaborative opportunities for research and to build capacity via training on this subject matter.

Event Details and Registration

To be part of this event, register now:

What is PFAS

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of extremely stable synthetic compounds (previously known as PFCs) that have been used extensively during the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries in various industrial production processes and daily-use products. Due to their water, stain and heat repellent properties and thermal resistance, uses have been extensive and have included firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, food packaging, insecticides, furniture and carpet stain protection applications.

Highly water soluble and environmentally mobile, PFAS chemicals don’t break down in the environment and they have the potential to bioaccumulate in plants and animals. As a result, they have the potential to contaminate large areas of groundwater and surface water. Practitioners, regulators and researchers are striving to understand the toxicology, fate, chemical transformation, mobility and remediation of these emerging contaminants.

Within industry, manufacturers have taken steps to phase out production of PFOS. In 2009, a global agreement was reached to ban one of the chemicals, PFOS, by listing it on the United Nation’s Stockholm Convention. In Australia, whilst action has been taken to gradually phase-out and prohibit the use of these chemicals, it is legal to use existing stockpiles. In the last few years, Queensland and South Australia banned the use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) containing PFOS and PFOA.

The Prevalence of PFAS in Groundwater 

PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in groundwater and surface-water is a widespread problem throughout the world. Unlike most environmental contaminants, many PFAS are not only environmentally persistent and bioaccumulative, but also highly water soluble and environmentally mobile. As a result, they have the potential to contaminant large areas of groundwater and surface water. Practitioners, regulators and researchers are striving to understand the toxicology, fate, chemical transformation, mobility and remediation of this emerging contaminate.

More Information and Resources

Registration and further details about the upcoming PFAS and Groundwater Workshop and other events can be found on the following link: https://events.flinders.edu.au/events

View the Australian Government's Regulation Impact Statement for consultation on a national phase out of PFOS – ratification of the Stockholm Convention amendment on PFOS

Download information on testing for PFAS Contamination at Envirolab Services:
- PFAS Laboratory Testing Services at Envirolab Services 
- Download Information Flyer on Envirolab Services NATA Accreditation for Testing PFAS in Blood and Serum 
- Information Flyer on Envirolab Services NATA Accreditation for Testing PFAS in Biota