Page 6 - Food&Beverages PFAS_analysis

Lab Equipment Cleaning & Decontamination

PFAS can be present in the water and/or cleaning agents used
in decontamination processes. When cleaning sampling equipment,

lab personnel should avoid using decontamination soaps containing

fluorosurfactants such as Decon 90. Water from an on-site well is also
a potential source of contamination.

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Alconox and/or Liquinox are recommended for decontamination
processes as well as potable water from a municipal drinking water
supply. Sampling equipment should be scrubbed using a polyethylene
or PVC brush and flushed with water before the next use. Water

should be always verified as “PFAS-free” before it is used for field and

decontamination blanks and decontamination processes.

Food & Beverages

Standard safety protocols do not allow the presence of food and

drinks in laboratories and areas where sampling is occurring. During
the PFAS analysis, this safety protocol is even more relevant as food

packaging, wrappers and containers may contain PFAS and can
cause cross-contamination. Drinks and food should be kept nearby

(e.g., staging area for sampling) to ensure personnel’s safety.

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