Researcher Identifies Promising Surrogate To Advance PFAS Testing

Expected to accelerate certification paths for drinking water units

Marking a major advancement in its multiyear effort to improve how the water sector manages per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Water Quality Research Foundation is funding critical research by University of British Columbia Professor Madjid Mohseni, PhD, validating surrogate parameters that can reliably predict PFAS breakthrough in water treatment technologies. A validated PFAS surrogate is expected to significantly reduce the time and costs of performance testing and support more efficient certification of drinking water treatment units.

Dr. Mohseni has more than 20 years of experience in drinking water quality and treatment innovation. His team has been at the forefront of PFAS detection, removal, and destruction research since 2015.

In Phase 1 of this project, the team identified promising surrogate candidates for evaluating the performance of activated carbon and ion-exchange resins used for PFAS reduction. Phase 2 will expand this work by examining how well these candidates, particularly PFBA, can forecast breakthrough behavior for a broader suite of PFAS compounds at environmentally relevant concentrations. Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed in March 2027.

As co-sponsor of the surrogate research, NSF, a leading global organization dedicated to protecting human health, contributes essential funding for this research along with deep technical expertise. As a leading certification body for drinking water treatment technologies — and separately, the developer of foundational industry benchmarks such as the NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 55 and NSF/ANSI 58 standards — NSF’s engagement is essential for translating the research findings into industry standards. Their contribution also reflects their commitment to supporting innovation and improving consumer confidence through clear certification claims.

"PFAS pose serious long-term health risks, including cancer, immune system issues, and decreased birth weights, making their removal from drinking water absolutely critical for public safety," said Kyle Postmus, Senior Manager at NSF. "NSF continuously revises and updates its standards to align with the latest science and technology, including NSF/ANSI 53 and NSF/ANSI 58, which include PFAS testing to ensure PFAS levels are at or below levels established by the EPA. Co-sponsoring this research is just another step in helping us to advance community access to effective solutions that can eliminate these dangerous contaminants from their water supply."

This research carries long-term significance. Its anticipated benefits parallel those achieved by the Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) Surrogate Study, which enabled the adoption of chloroform as a surrogate for 53 regulated organic chemicals within NSF/ANSI standards, allowing carbon filter manufacturers to demonstrate reduction effectiveness with a single test.

By advancing the scientific foundation needed to streamline PFAS treatment testing, this project represents a pivotal step toward stronger public health protections and greater confidence in household and municipal water treatment technologies. As WQRF and NSF continue investing in research that bridges innovation and industry standards, this work will help ensure communities have access to effective, science‑backed solutions for safeguarding their drinking water.

About WQRF:
Since 1952, the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) has served as an independent, scientific water quality research organization with an aim to improve water quality through relevant academic research​, advancing the knowledge and science of high-quality, sustainable water. Since its inception, WQRF has funded numerous research studies that have generated essential information on water quality ​for industry, policymakers, regulators, and the public. Find out more at WQRF.org/completed-studies or sign up for WQRF’s email newsletter to get bi-weekly research updates, funding opportunity notifications, and more.

About NSF
NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, water and wellness products industries. NSF has 40,000 clients in 110 countries and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety and Water Quality.