Merit Laboratories is proud to have been a participating laboratory in a multi-laboratory validation study to support a new ultra-short chain PFAS drinking water method under development by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This study represents an important step toward standardizing the measurement of ultra-short chain PFAS in drinking water and other aqueous environmental matrices.
Our involvement in Draft Method 563 reflects Merit Laboratories’ commitment to delivering advanced analytical solutions and supporting clients as PFAS monitoring requirements continue to evolve.
Expanded PFAS Capabilities for Aqueous Matrices
Merit Laboratories provides ultra-short chain PFAS analysis for a wide range of aqueous matrices, including:
Groundwater
Surface water
Wastewater
Industrial process water
Landfill leachate
Stormwater
These compounds are highly mobile in aquatic environments, making accurate measurement critical for environmental assessment, regulatory compliance, and remediation monitoring.
Our ultra-short chain PFAS analytical suite includes:
Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) CAS # 82113-65-3
Perfluoroethanesulfonic acid (PFEtS) CAS # 354-88-1
Perfluoromethoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA) CAS #674-13-5
Perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA) CAS #422-64-0
Perfluoropropanesulfonic acid (PFPrS) CAS #423-41-6
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) CAS #76-05-1
Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS) CAS #1493-13-6
These ultra-short chain PFAS are increasingly recognized for their persistence, mobility, and relevance in drinking water and environmental investigations.
As the EPA draft method undergoes validation and is not yet formally published, Merit Laboratories utilizes an in-house Standard Operating Procedure based on:
Direct injection techniques
Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
Highly sensitive instrumentation optimized for ultra-short chain PFAS
This advanced approach ensures accurate detection and reliable quantification of these challenging analytes.
Sample Collection Requirements:
Merit Laboratories offers straightforward sample collection requirements to support efficient project execution:
125 mL PFAS-free plastic bottle
Sample bottles provided by Merit Laboratories upon request.
Forefront of Ultra-Short Chain PFAS Analysis
Participation in this EPA multi-laboratory validation study positions Merit Laboratories at the forefront of ultra-short chain PFAS analysis. Our clients benefit from early access to emerging analytical capabilities, trusted technical expertise, and defensible data to support regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and risk assessment.
Whether you are evaluating drinking water quality, monitoring remediation progress, or preparing for evolving PFAS regulations, Merit Laboratories is ready to support your project with confidence. Contact Merit Laboratories today to learn more about ultra-short chain PFAS testing or to request sample containers.
Merit Laboratories is a leading national PFAS environmental laboratory, analyzing drinking water, soil, wastewater, groundwater, and other sample matrices, including biosolids and sludge. Analytical methods performed by Merit for PFAS include drinking water by EPA 533, EPA 537.1, and EPA 537 rev. 1.1, soil and biosolids by ASTM D7968-17 with Isotopic Dilution, and wastewater, groundwater, and surface water by ASTM D8535 and ASTM D7979-19 with Isotopic Dilution and development of the new EPA 1633A method.