PFAS in Swedish drinking and surface water
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) has made a study of PFAS in tap water from 63 users in addition to surface water from 19 lakes/streams and a single rainwater sample. PFAS4 and 21 (drinking water directive PFAS20 + 6:2 FTS) and five ultrashort PFAS incl TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) were determined. All analyses were performed by Eurofins.
Ubiquitous presence of PFAS
The group of PFAS compounds could be identified in nearly all samples. Of the 63 tap samples investigated, 31 were from municipal water while remaining were from private wells or associations. Regarding the upcoming limit value for PFAS4 (4 ng/l), three municipal waters (Gävle, Halmstad, Västerås) and three well waters exceeded the limit. The highest value was seen for Västerås, 22 ng/l. No sample was above the limit value for PFAS21 of 100 ng/l. TFA concentrations (ND-870 ng/l) were generally much higher than other substances and could be identified in all but five samples (that had no PFAS present at all). There are no limit values for TFA in Sweden but all waters were below the Dutch value of 2200 ng/l. Overall the results of the SSNC work mirror the Eurofins report from last year (2023) on Swedish and Norwegian drinking waters concerning PFAS levels incl TFA. It is interesting to note that this new study also displays high TFA values in the South-East of the country as in our earlier study and that water from the lake Mälaren has around 400-450 ng/l.
Surface waters were divided into samples taken in the vicinity of firefighting training sites, landfills and industry alongside sites with diffuse pollution. As could be expected, PFAS4 concentrations near training sites were high with one exception (1-280 ng/l), but also other locations showed slightly elevated levels in some cases (ND-19 ng/l). The highest level of PFAS was found in Märstaån (1050 ng/l), downstream Arlanda airport. At the sites with diffuse pollution, PFAS4 could be detected in only one (Rindö, Vaxholm). However, TFA was present in all surface waters with levels comparable to the range for drinking waters. The highest TFA observation in the data set (1000 ng/l) was found for a stream in Väröbacka (Varberg). The rainwater from Stockholm contained 0.3 ng/l PFAS4 and 370 ng/l TFA.
PFAS determination
Eurofins can offer a wide range of PFAS analysis in water. Up to 60+ PFAS can be analysed with LOQ down to 0.02 ng/l for natural waters. Also ultrashort PFAS, including TFA, can be determined. Search our online catalogue or contact us for more information. Regarding our own studies on ultrashort PFAS incl our white paper on juice, see our publication page.
Links
SSNC report
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