PFAS: Tracing the Untraceable – Forever Chemicals in Complex Environmental Matrices

The Faculty of Biotechnology is organising the Biotalk ‘Tracing the Unrecognisable - Eternal Chemicals in Complex Environmental Matrices’ on 28 July at 14h00.

António César Ferreira & Vânia Amorim are the guest speakers.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic organic compounds that have been widely used for their hydrophobic and lipophobic properties in industrial and commercial products for more than six decades. Due to their extreme chemical stability, they are called “forever chemicals” and are now recognized as persistent environmental contaminants of global concern. 

This work focuses on the development and validation of robust analytical methodologies for the detection and quantification of selected PFAS in complex environmental matrices — specifically surface waters and biological samples. The methods were validated according to international standards (e.g., ICH Guidelines) evaluating performance parameters such as linearity, limits of detection (LOD), quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, and matrix effects.

Preliminary results indicate the presence of PFAS across all matrices, with variation in compound profiles and concentrations depending on environmental and biological context.

This study highlights the analytical challenges and ecological relevance of monitoring PFAS, providing essential tools for future environmental monitoring and risk assessment in Portugal.