MWH Laboratories Introduces Testing of Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

MONROVIA, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- MWH Laboratories, a leading U.S. water testing laboratory, today announced that it now offers low-level analysis of perfluorochemicals (PFCs), also known as C8 compounds, man-made chemicals that are emitted as byproducts of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. PFCs have been labeled a "likely" human carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board.

MWH Laboratories is one of a limited number of laboratories nationwide offering analyses of these emerging contaminants in water, which are used in everyday items such as lubricants, paints, food packaging, fire-retardant foams, pesticides and carpets.

"Water utilities and private companies such as beverage producers that want to be proactive in addressing potential public concerns will benefit greatly from MWH Laboratories' new PFC testing services," said Dr. Andrew Eaton, vice president and laboratory director for MWH Laboratories. "Coupled with our pharmaceuticals and personal care products analyses, these tests will help our clients continue to provide their customers with safe, pure drinking water."

Using small samples collected in PFC-free polyethylene bottles, the lab measures the levels of three of the most common PFCs: Perfluoro octanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluoro octanesulfonate (PFOS), and Perfluoro butanoic acid (PFBA). MWH Laboratories' proprietary method can measure the chemicals down to 50 parts per trillion (50 ppt) using an online enrichment preparation technique followed by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

This method eliminates some of the sources of contamination ubiquitous in lab settings when doing conventional solid phase extraction by relying on the sensitivity of the lab's state-of-the-art API 4000 LC-MS/MS and online pre-concentration.

PFCs are characterized by chains of carbon atoms of various lengths, to which fluorine atoms are strongly bonded -- a structure that makes them nearly indestructible. The chemicals were introduced in the mid-1900s and grew in popularity in the 1980s when it was discovered that they could serve as substitutes for the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were weakening the ozone layer.

PFCs, which have been called one of the 20th century marvels of modern chemistry, do not affect the ozone layer but are strong greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Millions of tons were produced annually before production was drastically reduced in 2002 due to these concerns. Research into the safety and environmental effects of PFCs is ongoing. Several states have already considered setting limits on allowable concentrations for PFCs in water.

About MWH Laboratories

MWH Laboratories is the largest water testing laboratory in the United States, serving water quality professionals worldwide. The company's 35,000-square-foot analytical testing facility is located in Monrovia, Calif., where more than 120 leading chemists, microbiologists and scientists are employed. In addition to offering testing of PFCs, MWH Labs can deliver a wide array of other analytical capabilities, ranging from low-level drinking water analyses to leading-edge work with other emerging contaminants like Nitrosamines and Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs). For more information, please visit http://www.mwhlabs.com/ or call Dr. Andrew Eaton at (626) 386-1125.