In Sweden, there are more than 90,000 contaminated sites, many of which are believed to be contaminated with PFAS. Current analytical methods can measure only a limited number of the thousands of PFAS compounds that are, or have been, used commercially, making it difficult to assess the true contaminant burden in soil.
Analysis of total organofluorine (TOF) has been proposed as a tool to determine the maximum total PFAS concentration in soil. By analysing soil samples from both urban and rural environments, we will map the background levels of TOF found at sites far from known PFAS sources.
The results will also be compared with targeted analyses of individual PFAS compounds to increase understanding of how TOF can be used in practice. The new reference values will contribute to more reliable risk assessment in land use, remediation of contaminated sites, reuse of excavated soil materials, and national environmental monitoring. The project will thereby provide an important knowledge base for reducing the spread of PFAS in the environment and protecting future access to clean drinking water and safe food.
