PFAS in Feed – New packs for cellulose-rich matrices
Exposure and health effects caused by PFAS are receiving more and more attention. This applies especially to drinking water but at the same time, PFAS in other matrices such as food, feed and products (e.g. food contact material) has come more into focus. Elevated PFAS levels in animals, and products from them, can be the result of intake of contaminated water and feed as well as grazing on land with polluted soil. PFAS can accumulate in the animals and the levels will depend on animal species and how much they eat and/or drink. The half-life i.e. excretion rate of PFAS also differs between various animals and substances (DVFA, 2023a; SLU/SE-EPA, 2023).
Over the last few years there have been occasions where the importance of feed and grass has been shown such as in the Danish cases of PFAS in organic eggs, grass along the coasts and meat from a contaminated site in Korsør (DVFA, 2023b; Slagelse kommune, 2023; Naturstyrelsen, 2023). Also in Sweden the role of grazing and water in relation to contaminated sites has been brought to attention as part of the government PFAS project RUPFO. In both countries guideline values for feed (and water) have been derived for different animals with the EU limits (PFAS4) for food as governing levels (DVFA, 2023a; SLU/SE-EPA, 2023).
New method and packs
Eurofins now introduces a set of packs that are suitable for cellulose-rich feed and material such as grass, silage and other non-edible plants, using a method that has been specifically developed for these matrices. The packages can also be used for leaves, needles, bark, smaller twigs etc. The packs cover EFSA PFAS4, DK PFAS22 and in addition there is a larger pack that can be used for screening purposes. The analysis requires that the sample has been dried and finely milled and therefore the packs offered include the necessary sample preparation. In addition, a measurement of the total moisture level is reported. Optimal sample weight is 100g (min 50g) and the delivery time (TAT) is 14 cal days. The results are reported in µg/kg DM.
For other feed than grass/silage as well as for food/biota we recommend our regular food packages, see our PFAS webpage for more information.
Packs for cellulose rich matrices:
PLW9W: PFAS4 (EFSA) incl. sample preparation
PLW9X: PFAS22 (DK22, DWD20 + 6:2FTS + PFOSA) incl. sample preparation
PLW9Y: PFAS47 “TOT” (screening) incl. sample preparation
References/links:
DVFA, 2023a (Fødevarestyrelsen)
DVFA, 2023b (Fødevarestyrelsen)
Naturstyrelsen (2023)
Slagelse kommune (2023)
SLU/SE-EPA (Swe Agricult Univ/Naturvårdsverket) (2023)