SURROGATE PARAMETERS FOR PFAS

Instead of trying to develop individual reduction standards for each of the currently known PFAS, the objective of this research was to investigate surrogate compound(s) that will cover multiple PFAS for product certification testing for activated carbon and ion exchange resins.
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Report

Summary

​Our PFAS Surrogate study investigates surrogate compounds capable of representing multiple per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in certification testing of point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems. Led by the University of British Columbia, the research evaluates granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion-exchange resins (IXRs) for removal effectiveness, adsorption kinetics, breakthrough curves, and bed volumes across a suite of 16 PFAS, including EPA-regulated compounds, under varying water quality scenarios. Shorter-chain PFAS, such as PFBA, emerge as promising surrogates. This data-driven study supports the certification of water treatment technology, environmental compliance, and public health protection. WQRF is beginning Phase 2 of this study in 2026!

Summaries and educational materials (toolkits, handouts, infographics, etc.) are publicly available resources, and the full scientific reports are free for Water Quality Association (WQA) members.

 ​If you are not a WQA member, please contact [email protected] to inquire about access to the full report(s) of interest. 

RELATED PROJECTS

​Dr. Zhou at Purdue University investigated the removal efficiencies of 3 PFAS chemicals, Manganese, Uranium, and Legionella by POU RO and activated carbon. A second objective was to evaluate the effects of water quality and microbial growth on removal of these emerging contaminants.

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