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7 Appendix 1

7.1 Systematic literature search

For a systematic screening of publications in literature databases combined search strings were developed consisting of
  1. synonyms for PFAS
    AND
  2. synonyms for analytics
    AND
  3. synonyms for matrix.
All searches were carried out in the two databases PubMed and Web of Science. The search was limited to results from 2021-2023. The concrete terms used are provided in the following subchapters.

7.1.1 Synonyms for PFAS

PFAS* OR PFCs OR PFAA* OR PFOS OR PFOA OR perfluor* OR polyfluor* OR organofluor* OR fluorocarb* OR fluoropolymer* OR “fluorinated polymer*” OR fluoroelastomer* OR fluorotelomer* OR “fluorinated telomer*” OR fluoro-telomer* OR Fluorosurfactant* OR fluorinated surfactant* OR “Fluorinated gas*” OR “Fluorinated greenhouse gas*" OR F-gas OR hydrofluorocarbon* OR hydrofluoroolefin* OR hydrofluoroether* OR chlorofluorocarbon* OR hydrofluorocarbon* OR ADONA OR GenX OR fluorin* OR TFA OR PFEta OR PFPrA OR PFBA OR PFPEA OR PFHXA OR PFHPA OR PFOA OR PFNA OR PFDA OR PFUnDA OR PFUnA OR PFDODA OR PFTRDA OR PFTeDA OR PFHXDA OR PFHPDA OR PFODA OR PFNDA OR “Triflic acid” OR TFMS OR TFSA OR HOTf OR TfOH OR PFEtS OR PFPrS OR PFBS OR PFPES OR PFHXS OR PFHPS OR PFOS OR PFNS OR PFDS OR PFUnDS OR PFUnS OR PFDODS OR PFTRDS OR PFTeDS OR PFHXDS OR perfluoropolyether OR PFPE

7.1.2 Synonyms for analytics

Analysis* OR analytic* OR test* OR standard* OR method* OR determin* OR investing*

7.1.3 Synonyms for matrices

Searches were conducted for several matrices.

Textiles, leather, apparel, and textile related products

"Textil*" OR "leather" OR "apparel" OR "upholstery" OR "garment" OR "fabric" OR "clothing" OR "outdoor" OR "impregnation" OR "sportswear" OR "clothing" OR "work wear" OR "workwear" OR "personal protection equipment" OR "PPE" OR "gown" OR "carpet" OR "technical textile*" OR "coated fabric" OR "fibre" OR "yarn" OR "medical" OR "high-performance textile"

Waste treatment PFAS articles & industrial waste

"Waste" OR "landfill" OR "leachate" OR "incinerat*" OR "recycling" OR "disposal"

Packaging material, FCM & food & feed processing equipment

Packaging OR FCM OR "food contact" OR "food processing" OR "feed processing" OR "food production" OR "feed production" OR foodstuff OR "moisture barrier" OR "anti-stick" OR Teflon OR nonstick OR "non-stick" OR cookware OR "cook ware" OR "bake ware" OR bakeware OR "baking ware" OR "Board food packaging" OR "Consumer food wrapping" OR "Carton Board Packaging"

Consumer mixtures

“Consumer product” OR “cleaning product” OR dishwash* OR wash OR cleaner OR “cleaning solution*” OR polish OR wax OR “windshield wiper fluid” OR “windshield treatment” OR “floor finish” OR household OR “guitar strings” OR “guitar lubricants” OR “musical instruments”

Transportation, Automotive, Aircraft, Space and Ships

Transportat* OR aircraft OR airplane OR aeroplane OR aerospace OR ship OR space OR “jet engine” OR automo* OR “car” OR windshield OR “wiper fluid” OR “motor oil” OR “air bag” OR “car interior” OR “dash panel” OR “safety restraint system” OR “steering system” OR brake OR “hydraulic fluid” OR gyroscope* OR “Thermal control” OR boat OR watercraft OR “technical filter” OR “fouling” OR “antifouling” OR “UV resistance” OR “salt water resistance” OR “ballast water treatment” OR “desalination of sea water” OR “rupture safety” OR “tear-proof”

Oil, gas and mining industry

“ore leaching” OR “ore floating” OR “drilling” OR “oil production” OR “gas production” OR “oil transport” OR “gas transport” OR mining OR “oil sector” OR “gas sector” OR “mining sector” OR “oil industry” OR “gas industry” OR “mining industry” OR "tracers" OR "anti-foaming" OR "ore extraction" OR "mineral production" OR "oil recovery" OR "gas recovery" OR "enhanced oil" OR "well stimulation" OR "refinery" OR "produced water" OR "oil and gas storage"

Medical devices, pharmaceuticals

“Medical device” OR “medicinal device” OR defibrillator OR pacemaker OR “high dielectric insulator” OR “charge-coupled device” OR “contrast agent” OR “eye drop” OR eyedrop OR “contact lens*” OR pharmaceutical* OR therapeutic* OR retinal OR Dialysis OR catheter OR stent* OR needle* OR “Oxygen carrier” OR “artificial blood” OR angioplast* OR dental OR respirator*

PFAS in electric and electronic equipment including semiconductors

Electric* OR electronic* OR semiconductor OR “semi-conductor” OR “semi-conductor” OR etching OR wafer OR "photoresist matrix" OR “printed circuit boards” OR “Multilayer circuit board” OR Wires OR “Gauge wires” OR cables OR “Flat panel displays” OR Capacitator* OR “optical fiber” OR LCD OR “Tactile sensor” OR “Audio transducer” OR “Piezoelectric panel” OR “Electroluminescent lamp” OR razor OR “Acoustical equipment” OR “5 G” OR “communication equipment” OR “loudspeaker*” OR transductor OR camera OR phone OR printer OR scanner OR satellite OR “radar system*” OR “hard drive” OR “cooling liquid” OR “evaporative cooling” OR “brine cooling” OR “direct contact cooling” OR “total immersion cooling” OR “carrier fluid” OR Photolithograph* OR "Antireflective coating" OR "wind mill" OR "Solar collector" OR "Photovoltaic cells" OR "Heat exchanger" OR "power plant" OR batteries OR "fuel cell" OR "power transformers" OR "Gas insulated equipment"

Flame retardants & resins and industrial applications

"Flame retard*" OR resin OR curing OR "solar collector OR "wind mill*" OR windmill OR photovolt*

Fire Fighting foams

"fire fighting foam" OR "AFFF" OR "firefighting foam" OR "fire"

Lubricants

Lubricant* OR grease* OR lube OR "Friction reduction" OR ball-bearings OR Valves OR “Mold release agents” OR “lubricant additive in plastics” OR “epilames” OR “assembly aid” OR “moving parts”

Construction products

“Architectural membrane*” OR “membrane structure” OR cement OR wire OR cable OR gasket* OR seal OR hose* OR tube OR pipe OR construction OR building OR Skidways OR Bridge bearings OR adhesive OR sealant OR caulk OR paints OR coatings OR wetting OR varnish* OR anti-graffiti OR “PTFE tape” OR "surface treatment" OR "wind turbine blades" OR "solar panels" OR "stain resistant"

Cosmetics

Cosmetic* OR “make-up” OR “make up” OR makeup OR “Personal care” OR hair OR beauty OR "anti-aging" OR "anti-frizz" OR "bar soap" OR cream OR foundation OR blush OR highlighter OR "body lotion" OR "body cream" OR "body oil" OR "brow products" OR concealer OR corrector OR lotion OR "cuticle treatment" OR "eye cream" OR eyeshadow OR "eye pencil" OR eyeliner OR "face cream" OR "facial cleanser" OR "hair creams" OR rinses OR conditioner OR "hair spray" OR mousse  OR shampoo OR "hand sanitizer" OR highlighter OR "lip balm" OR "lip stick" OR "lip gloss" OR "lip liner" OR "manicure products" OR "makeup remover" OR mask OR mascara OR lashes OR moisturer OR "nail polish" OR "nail strengthener" OR "nail treatment" OR fixer OR scrub OR peeling OR "shaving cream" OR "shaving foam" OR sunscreen

Production of PFAS, including polymers

“Polymer production” OR telomeri?ation OR polymeri?ation OR “electrochemical fluorination” OR emulsifier OR emulgent OR “side-chain fluorinated polymer*” OR “processing aid*” OR “impurities side chain fluorinated polymer” OR “degradation side chain fluorinated polymer” OR fluoropolymer

Chrome plating

Plating OR “suppressant” OR “chromium” OR chrome

F-gases and refrigerants including blowing agents

"air condition*" OR "refrigerant*" OR "refrigerat*" OR "heat transfer" OR "blowing" OR "propellant" OR "F-gas" OR "greenhouse gas*" OR "HFC" OR "HFO" OR "HCFC" OR "HCFO" OR "HFE" OR "Novec" OR "Opteon"

Treatment of skis

ski OR snowboard* OR snowmobile OR toboggan OR sled OR “Glide wax” OR “anti-icing” OR “impregnation ski” OR "glider" OR "skin treatment"

Flame retardants & resins and industrial applications

"flame retard*" OR "resin" OR "curing" OR "solar collector" OR "wind mill" OR "windmill" OR "photovolt*"

Environmental - air

"passive air sampler" OR "passive air sampling" OR "passive air" OR "active air" OR "active air sampling" OR "active air sampler" OR "outdoor air" OR "indoor air" OR "workplace air" OR air OR "airborne particles" OR filters OR pitchers OR particles

Environmental - dust

"dust" OR "particle*" OR "wipe" OR "house dust" OR "indoor dust" OR "particular" OR "settled dust" OR "PM" OR "particle matter" OR "airborne dust"

Environmental - biotic (Aquatic)

plant* OR algae OR amphibian* OR fish OR biota OR bacteria OR "aquatic organism"

Environmental - biotic (marine)

"biota" OR "seaweed*" OR fish OR "marine mammal*" OR plankton OR corals OR sharks OR seals OR whale* OR penguin* OR jellyfish

Environmental - biotic (terrestrial)

plant* OR animal* OR bacteria OR fungus OR fungi OR archea OR protist* OR human

Environmental - abiotic (water and soil)

"water*" OR "wastewater" OR "groundwater" OR "surface water" OR "drinking water" OR "stormwater" OR "runoff" OR "leachate" OR "seawater" OR "sea foam" OR "*water" OR soil OR sediment OR ground OR earth OR sand OR mud OR waste

Human biomonitoring

"human" OR "biomonitoring" OR "monitor" OR "urine" OR "blood" OR "serum" OR "plasma" OR "hair*" OR "nail*" OR saliva OR milk OR "breast milk" OR HBM 

7.2 Additional information on the stakeholder consultation to gather information on ongoing research and development and validation/standardization activities for PFAS analyses

7.2.1 Online survey questions for stakeholder consultation

This is an overview what kind of questions were asked in the online questionnaire. We were interested in new and/or established analytical methods for PFAS analyses and if these might be suitable for PFAS enforcement.
There are two parts of the questionnaire:
  • Analytical method is under development and/or is established for research purposes
  • Analytical method is already well established for commercial use
In the online questionnaire up to three methods could be reported for each part.

Analytical method is under development and/or is established for research purposes

We would like to investigate whether new methods are emerging that can be used to enforce and demonstrate compliance with current and upcoming PFAS restrictions. Therefore, we are highly appreciating your expert knowledge here!

Analytical method

  1. What kind of analytical method you want to report on?
    • Targeted Method
    • Non-targeted Method
    • Total organic fluorine detection
    • Total fluorine detection
    • Other, please specify ____________________ 
  2. Please select the analytical method.
    • Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
    • Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
    • Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOPA) + MS
    • Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)
    • Particle Induced gamma-ray Emission (PIGE)
    • Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)
    • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
    • Other, please specify  ____________________
  3. Please provide additional technical details (e.g., sample preparation).

Matrices in which PFAS can be determined.

PFAS can be detected in environmental samples, biota and humans. In the restriction proposal main applications for PFAS were identified. For an efficient enforcement, it is important to understand for which matrix the analytical method is suitable.

Please select for which matrices/applications this analytical method might be suitable (multiple selections are possible).

  • Textiles, leather, carpets
  • Food contact material
  • Metal plating
  • Consumer products
  • Ski wax
  • Cosmetics
  • F-gases
  • Medical devices and medicinal products
  • Electric and electronic equipment
  • Chemical products
  • Energy sector
  • Transport
  • Fire-fighting foams
  • Flame retardants & resins
  • Construction products
  • Lubricants
  • Petroleum and mining
  • Waste
  • Water
  • Air
  • Abiotic environmental solids (e.g. dust, soil, sludge and sediments)
  • Biota
  • Human samples (e.g. blood, urine)
  • Other, please specify ____________________
  1. You can provide details on the type of matrices here (voluntary).

PFAS types that can be determined

  1. Which type of PFAS are covered with your analytical method (multiple selections are possible)? If more convenient, you can also provide a list of PFAS in the text field below.
    • Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs)
    • Perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs)
    • Perfluoroalkylether carboxylic acids (PFECAs)
    • Perfluoroalkylether sulfonic acids (PFESAs)
    • Perfluoroalkane disulfonic acids (PFSIAs)
    • Polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic alcohols
    • Polyfluoroalkylether carboxylic acids
    • Polyfluoroalkylether sulfonic acids
    • Fluorotelomer alcohols
    • Perfluoroalkane sulfonyl fluorides
    • Perfluoroalkylether non-polymers
    • Perfluoroalkylether side-chain fluorinated polymers
    • Perfluoroalkenes
    • Semifluorinated alkanes
    • Hydrofluorocarbons, Hydrofluoroethers, Hydrofluoroolefins
    • Per- and semi-fluorinated ketones
    • Perfluoroalkyl alcohols
    • Fluoropolymers (FPs)
    • Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs)
    • Others, please specify in the following text box
    1. You can provide details on type of PFAS or a list of individual PFAS here (voluntary).
    2. Do you expect that the method can be extended to other PFAS types? (if yes, please provide further details)

    Performance of the method

    1. What are the limits of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the analytical method?
    2. Please provide details how detection limits were determined and in which matrix.
    3. For some analytical methods, an appropriate standard is crucial (e.g., radio labelled PFAS) which is not necessary commercially available. Please provide details on the availability of standards for your method (if applicable).
    4. What is the validation/standardization status of the analytical method?
      • Done
      • Ongoing
      • Not validated/standardised
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    1. Please add further details on the validation/standardisation status (e.g., certifications, or if a ring text was carried out/ is planned).
    2. Are you aware of any challenges that impact the performance of the method (e.g., interference with other PFAS, challenges for specific matrices)?

    Availability of the method for commercial/reference laboratories

    1. Do you expect that the analytical method can be made easily available for commercial/reference laboratories?
      • Yes
      • No
    1. What do you expect would be needed to make this method available for commercial/reference laboratories?
    1. What level of skills would be needed for the laboratory staff to perform the analytical method?
      • Highly qualified staff
      • Low-skilled staff
      • Method is not expected to be suitable for commercial use
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    1. What level of equipment would be needed for a commercial laboratory?
      • Highly equipped laboratory
      • Standard equipped laboratory
      • Method is not expected to be suitable for commercial use
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    1. Are you aware of any challenges regarding the analytical method that might limit a commercial use?

    Further comments

    1. Please summarize briefly for which purpose the method was/is developed (e.g., detection of PFAS in drinking water).
    2. Anything else you would like to let us know regarding the analytical method?


    Analytical method is already well established for commercial use.

    We would like to investigate if you are aware of any problems or challenges regarding the established analytical method which might impact the enforcement of the new PFAS restriction proposal. Therefore, we are highly appreciating your expert knowledge here!

    Analytical method

    1. What kind of analytical method you want to report on?
      • Targeted Method
      • Non-targeted Method
      • Total organic fluorine detection
      • Total fluorine detection
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    2. Please select the analytical method.
      • Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      • Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
      • Total Oxidisable Precursor Assay (TOPA) + MS
      • Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)
      • Particle Induced gamma-ray Emission (PIGE)
      • Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)
      • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    3. If this is a certified method, please provide more information on how this method is typically referred to (e.g., DIN 38407).

    Matrices in which PFAS can be determined.

    PFAS can be found in environmental samples, biota and humans. Further, in the restriction proposal main applications for PFAS were identified. For an efficient enforcement, it is important to understand for which matrix the analytical method is suitable.
    1. Please comment briefly on the matrices the method is originally intended for (e.g., determination of PFAS in water).
    2. Do you expect that PFAS can be measured following this method in more matrices then originally intended?
      • Yes
      • No
    3. Do you expect that the method can be considered or extended to one or more of the main applications identified in the PFAS restriction proposal (multiple selections are possible)?
      • Textiles, leather, carpets
      • Food contact material
      • Metal plating
      • Consumer products
      • Ski wax
      • Cosmetics
      • F-gases
      • Medical devices and medicinal products
      • Electric and electronic equipment
      • Energy sector
      • Transport
      • Flame retardants & resins
      • Construction products
      • Lubricants
      • Petroleum and mining
      • Other, please specify  ____________________
    4. You can provide details on considerations regarding the type of matrices here (voluntary).

    PFAS types that can be determined.

    1. Do you expect that the method can be extended to more PFAS types/ individual substances then originally intended? (if yes, please provide further details)

    Challenges with the analytical method

    1. Are you aware of any challenges regarding the analytical method that might impact PFAS enforcement?

    Conclusion and further comments

    1. Do you believe that the method overall might be relevant for PFAS enforcement?
      • Yes
      • No
      • I do not know
    1. Anything else you would like to let us know regarding the analytical method?

    7.2.2 Overview of received questionnaires

    In the following additional information on the completed 25 online questionnaires will be discussed in more detail. Most of the respondents were experts from research laboratories (#15), followed by commercial laboratories (#4) (Figure 11). Additional, information was received from reference laboratories (#2), agency members (#2) and with other professional background (#2, National institute for health and university hospital toxicology laboratory).
    Figure 11: Professional background of respondents.
    Respondents could select if they have practical and/or theoretical expertise in PFAS analyses. Approximately half of the respondents selected that they have both theoretical and practical expertise (13 out of 25). Overall, 22 out of 25 respondents stated that they have practical expertise, whereas 16 out of 25 respondents stated that they have theoretical expertise. A more detailed overview depending on the professional background is shown in Figure 12.
    Figure 12: Expertise in PFAS analyses as stated by the respondents depending on the professional background (multiple selections were possible).
    Respondents were able to report on analytical methods that are established (or under development) for research purposes and/or on experiences with already well-established analytical methods for commercial use. They were able to report up to 3 methods for each category. In total information on 24 analytical methods that were established for research purposes and/or under development was reported, mostly by research laboratories (see Figure 13). Further, experiences on 13 well established analytical methods for commercial use (e.g. DIN methods) was reported, primary by commercial laboratories and research laboratories.
    Figure 13: Status of development of reported analytical methods including professional background of respondents.
    For both categories mainly information on targeted analytical methods was reported (see Table 10). However, especially for analytical methods for research purposes, information on fluorine detection methods (TF, EOF, TOF), non-targeted methods and TOPA was also provided.
    Table 10: Type of analytical methods reported on for well-established analytical methods and methods established for research purposes and/or under development. TF = Total fluorine, EOF = Extractable organic fluorine, TOF = Total organic fluorine, TOPA = Total oxidizable precursor assay.
    Targeted
    TF
    EOF
    TOF
    Non-targeted
    TOPA
    Analytical method is well established for commercial use (e.g. DIN method)
    10*
    2
    0
    0
    1a
    1
    Analytical method is established for research purposes and/or under development
    12
    4
    2
    2
    3
    1
    *One analytical method was reported to be both targeted and non-targeted.

    7.3 Additional information on the consultation of Nordic agencies

    7.3.1 Interview questions for Nordic agencies

    The following interview questions were sent to representatives from enforcement Nordic agencies:
    1. Please provide your contact details
    2. Do you have experience in PFAS enforcement? (if yes, please specify)
    3. What do you believe are hindrances today for an effective PFAS enforcement regarding analytical methods?
    4. What are your needs and requests for an effective PFAS enforcement regarding analytical methods?
    5. Do you know any court cases where the analytical method used for the PFAS analyses has been a central point of interest?
    6. Do you have any additional input?
    7. Would you be available and willing to do a follow-up interview (please select)?