Nicholas Nigro and Rock J. Vitale, CEAC

Total Organic Fluorine – What is Dubbed a “Proxy Method for PFAS” and Why is it Important?

Nicholas Nigro, Project Manager - PFAS, Pace Analytical Services, LLC and Rock J. Vitale, CEAC, Senior Principal Chemist, Montrose Environmental Group 

The concept of determining total organic fluorine, or “TOF” has become widely (and often incorrectly) used in the environmental, consumer products, and in many recent cases, judicial applications. However, before this tool is used by investigatory practitioners, the actual and operational definition of and methods for TOF need to be critically understood as TOF has become hailed by come as a total PFAS proxy method.  Some fundamental questions include what exactly is (or are) the definitions of PFAS, how can we measure total PFAS, what is TOF, and how do the methods for TOF analysis differ from methods which are expressions of total fluorine, adsorbable organic fluorine, and extractable organic fluorine?  It is also important to understand how the various applications of TOF (viz., environmental and consumer products) will be viewed from a regulatory and legal perspective.  Related are question about how TOF testing data compares to targeted PFAS data but ultimately the fundamental challenges with assuming positive results for TOF in a sample is indicative as positive results for PFAS in that same sample.     This presentation will provide context, operational definitions and provide an elevated understanding of the TOF topic. Attendees will come away with a much greater understanding of this tool, and the existing and emerging analytical solutions to support this critical testing need.  Recent cases studies will also be presented to provide real world context to the benefits and challenging associated with including TOF analysis in investigations

Nicholas Nigro, Product Manager – PFAS    B.S., 1992, Marquette University, Civil/Environmental Engineering  • 15 years experience as practicing Environmental Engineer  • 20 years experience in the laboratory space in various technical and leadership positions.  As PFAS Product Manager, Mr. Nigro is responsible for the oversight of the product life-cycle for all Pace Analytical PFAS operations, currently delivered in 8 emerging contaminant centers of excellence within Pace’s nationwide network of environmental testing laboratories.    Mr. Nigro acts as the national point of contact and subject matter expert for the product line and works closely with internal and external stakeholders to assess and anticipate current and future product line requirements.