ASTM E 3439 : 2025

1.1This guidance discusses several aspects that are critical for assessing, evaluating, and interpreting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) data received from analytical laboratories: project planning, data quality assessment, data validation, and ultimately, data usability and evaluation.

1.2This guide focuses on how to interpret data from published United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) analytical methods that have been modified for an environmental sample matrix other than the one for which it was validated. This guide does not address air sample analytical data.

1.3This guide uses the term PFAS in a method-defined context that is dependent on the data resulting from the respective PFAS sampling and analytical methods as applied to environmental sample media, each of which includes a list of target analytes determined by that method.

1.4This guide is intended to complement, not replace, existing regulatory requirements or guidance. ASTM International (ASTM) guides are not regulations; they are consensus-based standards that may be followed as needed.

1.5Some US State and international approaches to data quality validation and usability are presented.

1.6Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.