Monitoring of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Atlantic Canadian Source Waters
Alvine Manda Tchonlla (Dalhousie University)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS are a group of > 14 0001 synthetic fluorinated compounds commonly referred to as ‘“forever chemicals’” due to their persistent nature and environmental mobility. Although the production and usage of some’“legacy’” PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA, have been discontinued or heavily regulated under the United Nations' Stockholm Convention, their inherent stability and capacity for movement across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems has resulted in their prevalence within the global environment2. Further, their adverse effects on both human and environmental health have led to Health Canadaes recent release of stringent draft guidelines for PFAS in drinking water S PFAS < 30 ng L-13. Understanding the presence and fate of fluorochemicals in source water and throughout drinking water treatment is imperative to ensure safe water and meet increasingly strict treatment directives.

Here, we will outline our implementation of Environmental Protection Agency EPA method 533: Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Drinking Water by Isotope Dilution Anion Exchange Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry.4 We will also share preliminary data on its use for monitoring presence and distribution of PFAS in source waters within the Halifax Regional Municipality HRM of Nova Scotia and provide a high-level overview of PFAS sampling protocols and best practices. Anticipated outcomes include a reliable monitoring method to detect and quantify 25 different PFAS as well as a clearer understanding of PFAS distribution and presence within HRM source waters. These insights will provide impact to future risk assessment and PFAS treatment strategies to ensure ecological health and human well-being.