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Webinar – Combustion Ion Chromatography – What’s Old is New Again

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent fluorinated chemicals that are widely detected in the environment. While targeted methods can measure specific PFAS compounds, many fluorinated substances remain unidentified, creating a need for broader approaches that assess total organofluorine.

Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) enables measurement of fluorine sum parameters such as Total Fluorine (TF), Total Organic Fluorine (TOF), Extractable Organofluorine (EOF), and Adsorbable Organofluorine (AOF). These methods help identify fluorinated material that may not be captured by targeted PFAS analysis.

Advances in CIC technology have improved the sensitivity and reliability of fluorine mass balance approaches, making them valuable tools for PFAS investigations across a range of environmental matrices.

This webinar will examine the scientific principles underpinning fluorine sum parameter analysis and explore how CIC-based methods can be used to complement conventional PFAS investigations.

In this webinar, our speaker will explore:

  • The historical development of organofluorine analysis and the emergence of fluorine mass balance concepts.
  • Key fluorine sum parameters, including TF, TOF, EOF, and AOF.
  • The principles and operation of combustion ion chromatography.
  • Sample preparation approaches for water, soil, and other environmental matrices.
  • Strengths and limitations of AOF, EOF, TOF, and TF methodologies.
  • The role of fluorine mass balance in identifying unknown or unmeasured PFAS.
  • Quality assurance and quality control considerations for CIC-based analysis.
  • Factors influencing method selection, sensitivity, and data interpretation.
  • Integration of fluorine sum parameters with targeted PFAS analytical results.

 

The presentation will draw on published research and practical examples to demonstrate how fluorine mass balance techniques can support PFAS investigations and improve understanding of the broader universe of fluorinated compounds present in environmental samples. Case studies will illustrate how TF, TOF, EOF, and AOF data can be interpreted alongside conventional PFAS analyses to support decision-making and reduce uncertainty.

This webinar will be particularly valuable for contaminated land consultants, environmental scientists, laboratory professionals, regulators, water industry practitioners, researchers, and risk assessment specialists involved in PFAS investigations and monitoring programs. A live Q&A will follow, and the session will be recorded.

Speakers

Heather Lord

Dr Heather Lord

Global PFAS Practice Lead Environment
ALS Global

Dr. Heather Lord joined ALS in 2025 as the Global PFAS Practice Lead, where she drives the company’s global PFAS strategy with a focus on leading client and regulatory engagement. She collaborates closely with the regional PFAS practice leads of ALS across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, guiding innovation, quality, and technical excellence.

Dr. Lord earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and brings more than 25 years of experience leading scientific teams in innovation, product development, and technical excellence.

Event Details

Start Date: September 9, 2026

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