Published Article: Evaluation of the Forensic Utility of post-Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay PFAS Composition from AFFF
Evaluation of the Forensic Utility of post-Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay PFAS Composition from AFFF
Authored by Rachel J. Maxwell, PG, Lydia R. Dorrance, PhD, & Adam H. Love, PhD of Roux, Krista Stevenson, and Anita Thapalia
Chemical discrimination between various formulations of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is an important capability for the forensic assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impacts on the environment. Identification of AFFF chemical fingerprints has been constrained by the (1) lack of detailed chemical characterizations of AFFF, (2) presence of PFAS compounds in AFFF products that are not detected and/or quantified by current analytical methods, and (3) potential chemical degradation of certain AFFF-containing PFAS towards recalcitrant end-member PFAS following release to the environment.
As proof-of-concept for a technique to overcome these limitations, AFFF product samples from various manufacturers and production years were analyzed before and after application of the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay, which oxidizes the PFAS in a sample to their terminal end-member products.
This research article was published by Environmental Forensics in February 2026. To request a complimentary copy of the full article, please click the link below:
