MELBOURNE, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A mobile laboratory trialled by researchers in Australia can provide an early indication of contamination from PFAS, often described as "forever chemicals," in soil and water within six hours.
In a trial led by Australia's University of Tasmania (UTAS), researchers completed sampling and analysis in a single day, significantly reducing testing times that typically take up to 10 days, according to a UTAS statement released on Friday.
The UTAS team used a van-based mobile lab equipped with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to collect and analyze samples on site. Results were available within six hours, allowing same-day assessment of contamination.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) persist in the environment, can accumulate in soil, water and the human body, and have been detected near firefighting training grounds, landfills, airports and industrial areas across Australia.
The study demonstrated that the system could screen water, soil and soil pore-water (water held within soil) for 10 key PFAS compounds. The findings, published in the Journal of Chromatography A, showed PFAS contamination was unevenly distributed across the area, helping identify potential movement pathways.
Researchers said rapid, on-site screening could improve early decision-making for communities, regulators and land managers and help guide monitoring, further testing and cleanup decisions, "rather than waiting for laboratory results before taking the next step."
However, results from the mobile system are intended as preliminary and require confirmation through standard laboratory testing.
Melbourne-based Trajan Scientific and Medical supplied the van-based mobile laboratory used in the trial, which can be set up on site in under 20 minutes. ■