Contaminant testing v2

We test food and
environmental
samples for a
wide range of
contaminants

Our laboratory network has assisted in projects worldwide to determine the levels of contaminants arising from:

  • Legacy and current industrial and agricultural activities and processes
  • Water, wastewater and sewage treatment processes
  • Ecosystem impacts of modern human activity
  • Environmental emergencies and long-term environmental remediation.

Our capability includes sample analysis for exposure and risk assessment projects related to impact on plant, animal, ecosystem and human populations and ecosystem assessments.

We consider requests for method development for special projects on a case-by-case basis.

Environmental Contaminants

Environmental Contaminants

We offer specialist testing in diverse environmental matrices for ultra-trace and trace levels of:

  • Dioxins / furans (PCDD/PCDFs)
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (including dioxin-like PCBs, indicator PCBs, total PCBs)
  • Per- and poly- fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)

Our lab scientists can test for other environmental contaminants of interest as a bespoke service offering specifically tailored to the project requirements. These tests are not routine offerings and require lead time to establish the specific test methods. Please contact us with your request.

  • Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs)
  • Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs)
  • Brominated and phosphate flame retardants (including PBDEs)

We offer specialist testing in food and animal feed for:

  • Pesticides, veterinary medicines, industrial chemicals, process by-products and other organic pollutants
  • Microbiological quality assessment (general microbiology and pathogens)
  • Seafood & aquaculture for chemicals of concern such as malachite green, leucomalachite green, gentian violet, nitrofurans
  • POPs (dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, BFRs, PFAS) which are of key concern to feeds and dietary intake pathways
  • Adulterants (such as Melamine, Cyanuric Acid)
  • Packaging residues such as Phthalate Plasticisers and Bisphenol A
  • Cleaning product residues such as Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs), chlorate and perchlorate, nonylphenol
  • DCD in dairy products
  • Toxins

Our expert scientists use state of the art equipment and internationally benchmarked test methodology.

If you are interested in contaminants that are not mentioned above, please contact us with your request. We have the capability to develop new and adapt existing methods to suit new requirements.

Food Contaminants

Food Contaminants

We offer specialist testing for:

  • Pesticides, veterinary medicines, industrial chemicals, process by-products and other organic pollutants
  • Microbiological quality assessment (general microbiology and pathogens)
  • Seafood & aquaculture for chemicals of concern such as malachite green, leucomalachite green, gentian violet, nitrofurans
  • POPs (dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, BFRs, PFCs etc) which are of key concern to feeds and dietary intake pathways
  • Adulterants (such as Melamine etc)
  • Phthalate Plasticisers and Bisphenol A
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) in dairy products, oil and fruit
  • DCD in dairy products
  • Detergent residues
  • Packaging chemicals
  • Toxins

Our expert scientists use state of the art equipment and internationally benchmarked test methodology.

Analysis of PFAS (Per- and poly- fluorinated alkyl substances)

Analysis of PFAS (Per- and poly- fluorinated alkyl substances)

PFAS are an emerging class of contaminants that have become a significant concern in recent years as more research has become available to regulators.

PFAS are a group of synthetic (man-made) compounds that have been produced commercially since the 1950s – the most common being perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFAS compounds have been widely used for decades in consumer products such as carpeting, upholstery, and food paper wrappings; and in industrial applications such as metal plating and Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs) used for firefighting. Manufacturing of these compounds has been phased out since 2002, but PFAS may still be found in imported products, or as part of old stock.

Critically, as PFAS do not decompose easily, (i.e. they are very persistent in the environment) they can be found in air, water and soil and are known to bio-accumulate in some living organisms. Once ingested, PFOS and PFOA are eliminated very slowly from the human body. This means concentrations in the body increase over time, if they are continuously consumed.

Why choose AsureQuality

  • AsureQuality are New Zealand’s only local provider of comprehensive PFAS testing
  • AsureQuality’s PFAS analysis methods meet the requirements in Section 8.6 of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP 2.0, January 2020)
  • Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand (DWSNZ) Regulations 2022
  • AsureQuality has extensive experience analysing a wide range of matrices for PFAS.  We provide technical and analytical support to a variety of contaminated site investigations in New Zealand and Australia
  • AsureQuality PFAS analysis addresses a comprehensive range of analytes including branched and straight chain PFAS compounds
  • AsureQuality’s PFAS analysis consistently performs well in Australian and European PFAS proficiency programs
  • Highly experienced with existing clients from across Australia and New Zealand, and involvement in the analysis of samples from highly contaminated sites
  • All methods are developed in-house and are based on literature references and/or standard methods. Further detailed documentation of test methods is available on request
  • Ability to adapt methods for other sample types (this would take some time and likely incur additional costs)
  • Supply sample containers and PFAS-free reagent water for rinsing equipment during field sampling
  • World-class reporting limits - ultra-trace (ppt) levels for key matrices (refer to Table 1). These limits meet the requirements of the FSANZ (Food Safety Australia and New Zealand) recommended health-based guidance values.

Sample types

Water: Chlorinated potable water, untreated potable groundwater, non-potable fresh water, sea water and reagent water.

We have two methods for water samples

  • PFCS01//03 (Suitable for drinking (potable) water only) and
  • PFCS01//05 (suitable for all water types including drinking water).

The Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand (DWSNZ) Regulations 2022 have the same limits as the Heads of EPAs (Australia and NZ) PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 2.0 (Jan 2020). 

Determinand

DWSNZ 2020

Maximum acceptable value

Heads of EPAs (Australia and NZ)

PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 2.0 (Jan 2020)

Drinking Water Guidelines

Heads of EPAs (Australia and NZ)

PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 2.0 (Jan 2020)

Recreational Water Guideline

AQ Test

PFCS01//03

Suitable for drinking water only

 

AQ Test

PFCS01//05

Suitable for all water sample types including drinking water

 

FHxS + PFOS

0.00007 mg/L

(0.07 µg/L)

0.07 µg/L

2 µg/L

0.001 µg/L

0.025 µg/L

PFOA

0.00056 mg/L

(0.56 µg/L)

0.56 µg/L 0 µg/L 0.001 µg/L 0.025 µg/L

The PFCS01//03 method is generally not suitable for non-potable water because these samples are often coloured with dissolved organic material, have higher dissolved solids and higher levels of suspended particulate matter, all of which interfere with the extraction procedure of the test.  Please contact us to discuss the suitability of your sample types for these two water test options.

Soil, Sediment, Biosolids: All soil/ sediment types (e.g. clay, sand, top soil, compost, fresh and marine sediments) and wastewater treatment plant biosolids.

Blood/Serum/Milk: Animal and human blood (whole blood and serum). Animal and human milk.

Vegetation and Tissue: Citrus, tomato, zucchini, squash, grasses; muscle tissue of fish, crustaceans, cow, sheep; kidney tissue of sheep and cow; and chicken egg, grapes, olives and avocado.

Liver: Sheep and cow liver.


Table 1.  Reporting limits for other key matrices.

Matrix Reporting Limit
Soil 0.1 µg/kg
Serum, Blood 

0.1 µg/mL

Milk 0.05 µg/kg
Milk Products 0.5 µg/kg
Vegetation, Tissues, Eggs 1.0 µg/kg
Liver & High Fat Vegetables 1.0 µg/kg

Contact us to discuss your needs:

e.  cswellington@asurequality.com

T.  09 573 8157

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