1) What Are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a vast class of human-made chemicals used since the 1940s to make products resistant to heat, water and oil. They are found in thousands of products — from nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging, electronics, and firefighting foams.

Built for durability, PFAS do not easily degrade in nature. They accumulate in soil, groundwater, wildlife, and even human blood, earning the nickname “forever chemicals.” Once released, they can persist in the environment for decades unless they are detected and removed.

Scientific studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds with:

• Developmental and immune system effects

• Hormonal disruption and liver damage

• Increased risk of certain cancers

PFAS are persistent “forever chemicals” that can contaminate water, soil, and even food packaging. Testing helps identify contamination before it affects health, compliance, or property value.

PureTrace’s technology can test water, soil, and food packaging materials.

Traditional lab tests can take days and require complex prep. PureTrace’s PS-MS and DPS-MS methods deliver parts-per-trillion sensitivity in minutes.

Traditional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) requires time-consuming sample preparation — extraction, cleanup, and solvent use — before analysis. These steps increase cost, turnaround time, and the risk of sample loss or contamination.

PureTrace Labs™ uses a proprietary method that builds on Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry (PS-MS) and Desalting Paper Spray MS (DPS-MS) which was developed at NJIT. These methods ionize and detect PFAS directly from the sample, eliminating lengthy extraction and chromatography.

• PS-MS enables rapid, direct analysis from a paper substrate.

• DPS-MS adds a desalting step that removes salts and matrix interferences, making it ideal for complex samples such as soil, groundwater, wastewater, and food-contact materials.

The result is accurate, high-sensitivity PFAS detection in under three minutes — without the labor, solvents, or instrumentation time required by LC-MS.
In short: LC-MS takes hours; PureTrace takes minutes.

PureTrace Labs™ uses PS-MS/DPS-MS methods supported by peer-reviewed research from NJIT and is in early commercialization. PureTrace Labs provides rapid screening/triage results. Regulatory reporting requires confirmatory LC-MS/MS by an accredited lab. We’re building partnerships and conducting validation to support that next step.

For further reading: Journal of Hazardous Materials (2024): “Rapid detection of PFAS using paper spray–based mass spectrometry.” ScienceDirect

Homeowners, municipalities, environmental engineers, remediation firms, and packaging companies all rely on early detection to manage risk and ensure compliance.

Technologies such as activated carbon, ion exchange, and high-pressure membranes can remove PFAS after detection. Early identification makes remediation more effective.

We are currently seeking demonstration partners in environmental testing, municipal utilities, and industry. Contact us to discuss collaboration opportunities. info@puretracelabs.com

PureTrace emerged from NJIT’s Innovation Studio, translating Dr. Hao Chen’s breakthrough PS-MS and DPS-MS methods into a scalable testing platform.