PFAS Detection in Water Resources
Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are chemically and biologically resistant organic compounds that are persistent, bioaccumulative and highly toxic. The widespread contamination of water resources by PFAS chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) poses a major health concern affecting millions of Americans.
Beyond the immediate risk to public health through direct consumption of PFAS-contaminated drinking water, PFAS-contaminated surface water, groundwater and reclaimed wastewater pose additional threats to public health through a number of indirect contaminant exposure routes including negatively impacting the US food supply.
CEL has received a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the US Department of Agriculture (2023-51402-39243) to develop a new detection technology to reliably measure PFAS in water resources at concentrations in the parts per billion (ppb) range. CEL is teaming with a number national electrochemistry experts from the State University of New York and Texas Christian University to develop and commercialize an affordable PFAS detection device.