Alaska Forum on the Environment

Metiri Group joins environmental professionals at the Alaska Forum on the Environment again in 2024 to engage with conservationists, biologists, government agencies and others to discuss current environmental issues in Alaska.

Adam Robinson, Senior Scientific Specialist at Metiri Group will be presenting on PFAS at 2:00 p.m. Feb. 6.

Join us for this presentation and visit our booth for further discussion!

Presentation details:

Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS): A Review
“From PFOS to GenX”

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are recognized by environmental practitioners and regulatory bodies around the world as compounds of environmental concern.  These persistent chemicals are found widely in the environment.  The ubiquity of these compounds in a wide range of environmental and biological matrices, compounded with their chemical properties and studies suggesting human toxicity have resulted in increased public concern.

There has been an extraordinary amount of attention focused on this class of compounds, particularly with respect to their characterization, delineation, management and regulation in the environment.  Environmental stakeholders are continually developing a better understanding of: occurrence, exposure and toxicity; proper sampling and analysis protocols; and remedial options.  Jurisdictions throughout North America are rapidly moving to regulate specific PFAS.

“What’s next?”   New science surrounding this group of compounds has led to a dynamic and rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.  Replacement compounds, such as GenX, ADONA and F53B are gaining attention as potentially toxic and more mobile PFAS.  New analytical technologies are being evaluated to allow for more comprehensive yet economically viable environmental measurements.  Significant effort and resources are being invested in finding effective and efficient treatment and remedial options.

This presentation will provide an overview of the science around PFAS including:

• PFAS as contaminants of emerging environmental concern
• Exposure and toxicity
• Sampling and analysis considerations – Soil, water, tissue and air
• Treatment and remediation – What are our options?
• The future of PFAS in the environmental marketplace

Presenter Biography:

 Adam Robinson, OCD (Biotechnology)

Adam Robinson is a Senior Scientific Specialist at Metiri Group, specializing in liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). His mission is to provide technical leadership to Metiri Group laboratories as well as the clients that they serve.  Adam uses his extensive expertise in liquid chromatographic techniques, particularly LC/MS/MS to develop robust, reliable, and defensible methods to solve Metiri clients’ complex analytical challenges.

Mr. Robinson has been involved with PFAS science for over 10 years.  Prior to joining Metiri, Adam supervised and was integral to the development and commercialization of methods for the determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a diverse range of environmental matrices for a large laboratory network.

Adam has over two decades of experience in laboratory research and operational management, extending across the pharmaceutical, food science and environmental sectors. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, technical validity and scientific integrity, ensuring the delivery of high-quality results that meet and exceed industry standards.