Tutorial: How to collect home samples for EPA Method 537!

Last Monday (January 22, 2024), I collected water samples for LC-MS lab tests as part of my PFAS detection method research. Two (drinking water) of my five samples are to be processed through EPA Method 537.


Today, having performed multiple sample collections, I would like to walk my readers through the process of collecting water samples for EPA Method 537 with photographs.

Before collecting any samples, please make sure you have the following from the laboratory analyzing your samples:

  • Two sealed HDPE PFAS sample containers with TRIZMA preservative inside. Some laboratories may have fewer bottles, and may provide two more bottles. I will explain this in the procedure down below.
I spilled one of these last Monday… luckily I had a spare! Make sure to be careful not to spill the contents of the sample bottles; you only have one bottle most of the time.
  • Chain-of-custody form
A chain-of-custody form has pricing on it because it’s basically the initial documentation before testing can start.
  • Powder-free nitrile gloves
Make sure they aren’t vinyl or latex gloves!!!
  • A cooler filled with ice
I had gas station ice layered on top of ice packs in a cooler.

With these items gathered, we can now start preparing to take our sample.
Make sure:

  • You are wearing powderless nitrile gloves
    • Do NOT use latex or vinyl gloves
  • You have not handled any aerosolized perfumes, detergents, or insect repellents before sampling
  • You have not touched any food packaging before sampling

Time to start the procedure!

  1. Put gloves on. Label your sample bottles with your initials, time and date of collection, and sample name.
I did the time after sample collection to be more accurate. It’s unnecessary, though.
  1. Run your cold tap for three minutes.
Three minutes pass excruciatingly slowly when you watch water run.
  1. After three minutes, narrow the water flow down until you can see through it.
No bubbles are visible!
  1. Open sample bottle and fill to its neck.
Don’t drop it!
The neck of the bottle is indicated here.
  1. Close the cap, and shake a couple times to mix the preservative.
The preservative should disappear pretty quickly.
  1. Depending on the laboratory, you may have more samples bottles to fill. Additionally, some laboratories may provide you a bottle filled with laboratory water and an empty bottle for the purpose of collecting a control sample. If you have extra sample bottles, repeat steps 4 and 5. If you have a laboratory water bottle, simply pour the water into the empty bottle and discard the now-empty bottle.
  1. Place your sample bottles and control (if applicable) into your cooler.
Make sure the bottles are upright when you place them in.
  1. Return your samples to the lab and you’re done!

I hope that this guide was helpful and instructive. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at tomtomboy2011@gmail.com.

For more detailed instructions, visit this website.

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