PFAS Testing

State-certified services

scientist collecting sample from the shore

Bigelow Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit research institute that specializes in challenging analyses — particularly those related to marine and freshwater environments, seafood, and ocean life.

Our PFAS testing program is led by Senior Research Scientist Christoph Aeppli, an expert on PFAS water contamination. He and his team produce critically needed data on PFAS prevalence and how it behaves and travels in our environment.

Our institute’s expertise in aquatic environments and cutting-edge analytical tools make Bigelow Laboratory the clear choice for public, private, and research groups seeking PFAS testing services in Maine and beyond. We offer the ability to test for a multitude of chemicals, substances, and microbial life across various matrices, but we offer far more than a mail-in testing service. Our scientists can provide results with important context, guidance, and next steps — so you’re never on your own.

Brunswick NAS PFAS Spill

PFAS Pollutants

A brief intro to “forever chemicals”

Though often referred to in the singular, PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, refers to a family of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in consumer products since the 1950s and are of growing public concern and regulatory interest around the world.

Key Sources of Contamination:

Manufacturing: Discharge from PFAS plants or other plants working with PFAS
Wastewater treatment plants: Sludge to landfill or biosolids to agriculture, then into groundwater
Landfill: Leachate to wastewater treatment plants or direct to soil if a landfill is unlined
Firefighting foams: Via various water systems

Sources of Human Exposure:

Drinking water and other water supplies
Food, including crops, livestock, wild game, and packaging
Consumer and workplace products
Air from manufacturing emissions

Capabilities and Clients

Services available to the public, private sector, and peers

Our Capabilities

We use EPA methods 533 and 1633 and can customize sample processing, detection limits, or target analyte lists for measuring PFAS.

We currently test samples from:

Water (fresh, salt, waste)
Soil
Sediment
Plant tissue
Animal tissue (non-human)

Bigelow Laboratory is a leader in PFAS testing services, and we’re always expanding our offerings. Our team is happy to discuss your specific needs if they are not listed above.

Our Clients

Bigelow Laboratory offers PFAS testing to a wide range of public and private clients whose needs span from regulatory requirements to research support.

Clients include:

Indigenous community members
State, county, and municipal governments
Public and private institutions and interest groups
Scientific peers seeking specialized equipment, knowledge, and capabilities

Related Services

From broader consulting to highly-specialized testing

In addition to PFAS testing, Bigelow Laboratory provides a broad array of analytical services. Learn more about Bigelow Analytical Services.

PFAS testing is one step toward identifying issues and promoting healthy water conditions. To better understand other parameters to track and craft an effective strategy, contact Bigelow Laboratory’s Water Health and Humans Initiative team.