Clinical Scorecard: Holding Steady: Lessons from the PFAS Front Line

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Food PFAS testing lacks the standardized methods available for environmental analysis.
• Laboratories may need to develop and validate their own workflows, including matrix-specific methods.
• Scientists with established PFAS testing programs describe practical challenges, setbacks, and lessons learned.
• The article discusses advice for laboratories starting PFAS testing and changes needed as target lists and regulatory expectations evolve.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Management

• Develop and validate PFAS testing workflows appropriate to the food matrices being analyzed.
• Use contamination-resistant practices when establishing laboratory workflows.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Account for evolving regulatory expectations and expanding PFAS target lists.

Risks

• The absence of standardized food-specific methods creates uncertainty for laboratories and food manufacturers.
• The article notes that PFAS-related consumer lawsuits are on the rise.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Not applicable; the article concerns laboratory testing of PFAS in food.

Not applicable; no patient treatment or prescribing information is provided.

Clinical Best Practices

• Validate laboratory workflows for the food matrices being tested.
• Apply contamination-resistant practices in PFAS testing.
• Consider the experience of laboratories with established PFAS testing programs when developing workflows.

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