Water test used by US misses PFAS detected by other test type

EPA 537 test

Total Organic Fluorine test

2.5 parts per trillion

Tucson,

Arizona

59

4

Westfield,

Massachusetts

36

10

Portsmouth,

New Hampshire

164

13.7

Oscoda,

Michigan

Non-detect*

15

Cape Canaveral,

Florida

176

18

Bethesda,

Maryland

185

45

Leland,

North Carolina

231

83

Madison,

Wisconsin

191

127

Gustavus,

Alaska**

102

EPA 537 test

Total Organic Fluorine test

2.5 parts per trillion

Tucson,

Arizona

59

4

Westfield,

Massachusetts

36

10

Portsmouth,

New Hampshire

164

13.7

Oscoda,

Michigan

Non-detect*

15

Cape Canaveral,

Florida

176

18

Bethesda,

Maryland

185

45

Leland,

North Carolina

231

83

Madison,

Wisconsin

191

127

Gustavus,

Alaska**

102

EPA 537 test

Total Organic Fluorine test

2.5 parts per trillion

Tucson,

Arizona

59

4

Westfield,

Massachusetts

36

10

Portsmouth,

New Hampshire

164

13.7

Oscoda,

Michigan

Non-detect*

15

Cape Canaveral,

Florida

176

18

Bethesda,

Maryland

185

45

Leland,

North Carolina

231

83

Madison,

Wisconsin

191

127

Gustavus,

Alaska**

102

EPA 537 test

Total Organic Fluorine test

2.5 parts per trillion

Tucson,

Arizona

59

4

Westfield,

Massachusetts

36

10

Portsmouth,

New Hampshire

164

13.7

Oscoda,

Michigan

Non-detect*

15

Cape Canaveral,

Florida

176

18

Bethesda,

Maryland

185

45

Leland,

North Carolina

231

83

Madison,

Wisconsin

191

127

Gustavus,

Alaska**

102

Guardian graphic. Source: Guardian analysis with University of Notre Dame PFAS researcher Graham Peaslee. *Non-detect does not mean PFAS were not in the water, but the levels were likely below what the test could read. ** Within the margin of error.