The Best Vials To Use for PFAS Testing

Testing for PFAS requires an understanding of where contamination can originate—including the consumables used in your workflow. Choosing the right vial type is critical to ensure accurate, PFAS-free results. Chrom Tech provides a selection of vials and closures designed to meet the demanding requirements of PFAS analysis while minimizing background interference.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are synthetic compounds used in numerous industrial and consumer applications due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Common examples include PFOA and PFOS, which have been used in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. These same chemical properties that make PFAS so versatile also make them persistent in the environment and resistant to degradation. PFAS are even found in laboratory-grade polymers like PTFE, which has important implications when selecting materials for PFAS testing.

Why Are PFAS a Concern?

Exposure to PFAS is linked to several adverse health effects, including reproductive, developmental, and immune system issues, as well as liver and kidney toxicity. Because PFAS do not readily break down, they bioaccumulate in living organisms—earning the nickname “forever chemicals.” Their presence in soil, water, and wildlife has made them a growing environmental and regulatory concern. Laboratories performing PFAS analysis must ensure their testing methods and materials meet the most current EPA and international standards for detection sensitivity and contamination control.

Avoiding Contamination in PFAS Analysis

Most environmental laboratories follow EPA LC/MS/MS methods for PFAS testing, while others use GC/MS techniques. Because PFAS compounds can be found in common lab materials, from sampling tools to analytical instruments, contamination control is essential. Even trace levels of PFAS leaching from consumables like vials, caps, or filters can skew results.

One of the most common sources of contamination is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a material often found in standard chromatography consumables. PTFE-lined caps, tubing, and filters can introduce PFAS into samples—leading to false positives or inaccurate readings. For this reason, laboratories performing PFAS analysis should use PTFE-free alternatives wherever possible.

The Best Vials for PFAS Testing

To help laboratories achieve accurate, contamination-free results, Chrom Tech offers a full line of PFAS-free vials and closures compatible with major autosamplers. Our lineup includes:

• 9 mm screw-thread vials and 11 mm crimp-top vials with PTFE-free septa
• Polypropylene vials designed for LC/MS and PFAS workflows—chemically resistant, lightweight, and economical
• Compatible closures and caps made without fluorinated polymers to prevent cross-contamination

These vials are ideal for collecting, storing, and analyzing PFAS samples while meeting the stringent purity standards required for environmental testing labs.

Chrom Tech’s PFAS-Free Workflow Solutions

In addition to vials, Chrom Tech offers a complete selection of PFAS-free consumables, including syringe filters, caps, and fittings. Pairing these with our Agilent and Restek HPLC columns provides reliable separation and detection for trace PFAS analysis.

Our PFAS-compatible solutions are designed to minimize contamination risk across every step of the analytical workflow—ensuring reproducible, defensible data for regulatory compliance and research applications alike.

Conclusion

PFAS testing demands the highest level of contamination control. Choosing the right vials and consumables—specifically PTFE-free options—is essential for producing accurate, dependable results. Chrom Tech’s line of PFAS-ready vials, closures, and chromatography consumables provides laboratories with trusted solutions for both sampling and analysis.

For help selecting the right PFAS-free products for your workflow, contact our technical support team.