Method, system and kit for detecting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (pfas) compounds

A method for field testing wastewater to detect per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS), the method comprising:

• providing a system for detecting the PFAS in wastewater;
• obtaining the wastewater from its source;
• collecting a sample of the wastewater for field analysis;
• determining whether the sample has suitable salt content;
• if no, then adjusting salinity of the sample to a proper salinity content by adding salinity adjustment solution to the sample to obtain a proper salinity sample;
• and
• if yes, then continuing with the proper salinity sample;
• determining whether the proper salinity sample has oil or grease contamination;
• if yes, then:
• applying an electrocoagulation treatment;
• settling and separating an oil contamination portion of the proper salinity sample;
• and
• continuing with a remaining portion of a clean proper salinity sample;
• if no, then continuing with the clean proper salinity sample;
• extracting a small volume sample from the clean proper salinity sample;
• adding a pH adjustment and buffer solution to the clean proper salinity small volume sample to obtain a field sample ready for analysis;
• preparing a reference chemical solution to obtain a reference sample;
• establishing a baseline electrochemical activity on the reference sample;
• determining a field sample electrochemical activity on the field sample;
• and
• comparing the field sample electrochemical activity to the baseline electrochemical activity to determine if the field sample is contaminated with PFAS according to the method for field testing.

A field kit for detecting per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in wastewater, the field kit comprising:

• a storage and transportation container for storing and transporting the field kit;
• a sample collection container for storing a volume of the wastewater and from which a sample of the wastewater may be obtained;
• a salinity subsystem configured for measuring and adjusting salinity of the sample wastewater to obtain a proper salinity sample of the wastewater;
• an optional electrocoagulation subsystem configured for cleaning oil and/or grease from the proper salinity sample of the wastewater, if necessary, to obtain a clean proper salinity sample of the wastewater;
• and
• a PFAS detection subsystem configured for detecting presence and concentration of the PFAS in the clean proper salinity sample of the wastewater.