Grantee Research Project Results
Disposable Test Strips for Ultra-Sensitive QuantificationofPolyfluoroalkyl Substances in Ground Water
EPA Contract Number: 68HERD19C0009Title: Disposable Test Strips for Ultra-Sensitive QuantificationofPolyfluoroalkyl Substances in Ground Water
Investigators: France, C. Brian
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2019) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Phase 1 (2019) , SBIR - Water Quality , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Human exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to cancer, elevated cholesterol, obesity, immune suppression and endocrine disruption. The EPA has set a PFOA health advisory of 70 parts-per-trillion. Due to widespread use of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to fight fuel fires, millions of gallons of PFASs have been used at oil refineries, military bases, civil aviation sites and petrochemical plants. The major types of contaminated sites include firefighting training areas, aircraft crash sites, metal coating and plating facilities, water treatment systems and receiving waters bodies, and facilities storing AFFFs. Current fluorocarbon analysis methods are expensive, labor intensive and are performed by a few highly specialized chemical laboratories. An inexpensive, simple to use, highly sensitive test strip for the quantification of fluorocarbon pollution in groundwater is essential. This system would be useful for identifying areas with PFAS contamination, and for continually monitoring drinking water supplies to ensure they are contaminant-free. Successful products in regulatory driven markets are the technologies that are capable of achieving the regulatory requirement at the lowest price point. Our perfluorocarbon test strip will help rapidly identify contaminated ground water and enable all water providers to ensure safe drinking water for the U.S. population.
Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.