HGS E & E Meeting

HGS Environmental and Engineering Dinner Meeting

PFAS Methods Overview for Environmental Professionals

By Brittany Neff, Technical Specialist, Pace® Analytical Services

February 11, 2025

Location: Los Tios restaurant located at 9527 Westheimer RD, Houston.
Social 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Presentation 7:30- 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 Pre-registered members; $40 non-members & ALL walk-ups
To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pay with a credit card.  You may walk up and pay at the door if extra seats are available.  Please cancel by phone or email within 24 hours before the event for a refund. Online & pre-registration closes Wednesday, at 12:00 p.m.

Abstract:

PFAS are a group of substances that stick around in the environment because of the incredibly strong bonds that hold them together. As concern, litigation, and regulation about PFAS grows, so does the need to understand what they are, where they show up, and how we can measure them accurately.

In this presentation, we’ll break down the basics of PFAS chemistry, and the methods used to detect PFAS in water, soil, and other matrices. We’ll also cover topics such as PFAS precursors and total organic fluorine.

Another big piece of the puzzle is sampling. PFAS sampling guidelines are infamously strict because of concerns about accidental contamination. But are those worries always justified? We’ll walk through recent findings from a study that examined how often cross‑contamination happened in the field.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of today’s PFAS testing methods, the science behind them, and how environmental professionals choose the right approach in a world where PFAS guidance and regulations keep changing.

Speaker:

Brittany Neff, Technical Specialist, Pace® Analytical Services

Brittany Neff is a PFAS Technical Specialist with Pace® Analytical. With a strong foundation in analytical chemistry, Brittany spent 8 years in the pharmaceutical industry before transitioning into the environmental sector, where she worked directly with PFAS as an analytical chemist . Her experience includes PFAS sample preparation, LC‑MS/MS workflows, and reviewing PFAS data for accuracy and quality. She later worked as a project manager, helping connect sampling needs, method requirements, and reporting expectations. In her current role at Pace®, Brittany focuses on helping clients understand PFAS testing processes, laboratory capabilities, and regulatory expectations.  In her free time, she enjoys golfing, camping, relaxing at the beach, listening to live music, and doting on her two rescue pups, Maui and Freya.