Emerging Contaminants Testing Laboratories
Emerging contaminants are substances now being monitored or researched where analytical methods are recent, provisional or still laboratory-specific, so capability, reporting limits and data comparability vary far more than for long-established analytes.
What does it measure?
- Concentrations of the target compound or class in the stated matrix
- Screening indicators such as total organic fluorine for PFAS
- Non-targeted or suspect screening output where the compound is unknown
- Data quality information that shows how comparable a result is between laboratories
When is it used?
- Monitoring ahead of a requirement that is expected but not yet in force
- Investigating an unexplained ecological or water quality observation
- Product stewardship and supply chain screening for substances under scrutiny
- Litigation, due diligence and site liability work
- Research and method development programmes
Sample considerations
- Confirm the exact analyte list and reporting limits before sampling — capability differs sharply between laboratories.
- Ask whether the method is published, provisional or laboratory-developed, and how it is validated for your matrix.
- Where no settled method exists, agree in advance how results will be qualified in the report.
- For unknown problems, non-targeted screening can identify candidates before committing to targeted work.
Laboratories with relevant capabilities
No directory profile currently documents this specific capability. Submit a request and we will look for laboratories that cover it.
Frequently asked questions
- What counts as an emerging contaminant?
- In practice, any substance where monitoring interest has outpaced settled methods and criteria. PFAS, microplastics and tire wear transformation products such as 6PPD-quinone are current examples.
- Can any laboratory run these analyses?
- No. Capability is uneven and often limited to a handful of laboratories per analyte, especially where the method is recent. Confirm the specific compound, matrix and reporting limit rather than assuming a general analytical capability covers it.
- What if I don't know what the contaminant is?
- Describe what you observed. Non-targeted or suspect screening approaches are designed for exactly that situation and can generate candidates for targeted confirmation.
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