How Hurricanes Mobilize PFAS Pollution: Key Challenges for Analysts

In 2024, the southeastern United States endured devastating strikes from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, resulting in widespread destruction and unprecedented environmental harm. According to a study by the Environment Florida Research & Policy Center, the storms unleashed over 70 million gallons of pollutants into Florida's waterways, including approximately 20 million gallons of partially treated wastewater that flowed into the Manatee River alone.

Adding to the crisis is a newer, less visible threat: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Used in products such as firefighting foams and water-resistant coatings, these contaminants persist in the environment, infiltrating drinking water and accumulating in ecosystems and human tissue. Their resilience raises urgent questions about how Florida—and other vulnerable regions—can address the compounded risks of extreme weather and long-lasting pollution.

Separation Science spoke with Richard Jack (Global Market Development Manager, Phenomenex) about how analytical chemists are tackling the complexities of pollutants mobilized by hurricanes, the science of PFAS detection, and the implications for environmental monitoring.

PFAS in Floodwaters

Jack explains that PFAS is an umbrella term for distinct chemical families with unique risks during floods. Shorter-chain PFAS are more water soluble, spreading rapidly through drinking supplies, while longer-chain PFAS behave as oils, adhering to sediments churned up by floodwaters and accumulating in fatty tissues. These traits make PFAS dangerous after hurricanes, as floodwaters mobilize them from contaminated sites and carry them into drinking water sources.

For individuals, reducing exposure to PFAS contamination starts at home. Jack recommends using filtration systems specifically designed to bind and remove these persistent chemicals. “A simple charcoal filter at your kitchen sink can go a long way,” he explains. While steps like these can help immediately, systemic solutions are essential for broader protection.

Public water facilities must take the lead by increasing source monitoring, enhancing treatment processes, and adopting advanced filtration technologies to tackle PFAS contamination. Some cities, Jack notes, dilute pollutants by blending cleaner water sources or tapping deeper aquifers, but these approaches rely on well-maintained infrastructure and strategic planning.

“PFAS isn’t just a single chemical,” Jack explains. “Some act as acids, others are volatile in the air, and many persist in sediments.” He emphasizes that educating the public on these differences is critical, as a better understanding of PFAS behavior will help in addressing contamination challenges effectively.

PFAS Testing Challenges

Testing for PFAS is critical following hurricanes, yet their chemical complexity hinders effective detection and quantification. Despite an estimated thousands of PFAS compounds being present in the environment, testing standards have only been established for around 40-50 of these substances. Many remain uncharacterized or degrade into new forms over time, further complicating detection.

To address this, analytical chemists use two main techniques: liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography (GC). LC-MS is highly effective for non-volatile PFAS, particularly those with carbon chains ranging from C2 to C14, which account for most known compounds. For volatile PFAS, such as certain telomers that mimic the behavior of greenhouse gases, GC is the preferred method, explains Jack.

For accurate quantification, chemists add a labeled isotope of a known PFAS compound to a sample before beginning the cleanup and extraction process. Measuring the isotope recovered after extraction reveals the efficiency of the process, which can then be used to estimate the concentrations of similar PFAS compounds in the sample—even those without established standards.

When standards are unavailable, chemists turn to molecular structure and mass-to-charge ratios detected through mass spectrometry. This method, known as semi-quantification, relies on existing standards to estimate concentrations of structurally similar compounds. “It’s less accurate,” Jack acknowledges, “but it still provides valuable insights into what’s present in the sample.”

One example, Jack notes, comes from North Carolina, where researchers identified GenX—a PFAS precursor—contaminating the Cape Fear River. “We didn’t have a standard at the time,” he recalls, “but collaboration between researchers, regulators, and industry led to its development.” This case highlights the importance of translating research findings into practical tools for managing contamination.

Turning the Tide on Pollution

Hurricanes Helene and Milton underscore decades of poor PFAS handling, with Jack citing how industries and military facilities relied on firefighting foams without considering long-term impacts or proper storage. Progress is being made, as growing awareness of the risks has led industries to phase out some of the most persistent compounds. Many manufacturers now use shorter-chain PFAS, which are less prone to bioaccumulation, or alternatives designed to degrade more quickly—though some short-chain PFAS may also have toxic properties.

Technological advances are transforming how we tackle PFAS contamination. “Mass spectrometry detection is very good—we can now detect PFAS compounds at parts per quadrillion,” Jack says. Improved sample preparation methods are also increasing efficiency, allowing complex environmental samples, such as sediment or fish tissue, to be refined more quickly and accurately for analysis. These innovations, combined with efforts to develop standards for uncharacterized compounds, are expanding the tools available to scientists and regulators.

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About the Expert

Richard Jack
Global Market Development Manager, Phenomenex