ASTM E3358

ASTM E3358 is the ASTM standard guide for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances site screening and initial characterization. It is intended to help users identify and organize early-stage information about PFAS at a site, supporting more consistent decision-making during environmental evaluation. As a technical guide, it matters because it provides a structured starting point for screening activities, helping teams focus on relevant conditions, likely pathways, and the information needed before moving into deeper assessment or response planning.

Overview of ASTM E3358

The official title, Standard Guide for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Site Screening and Initial Characterization, indicates a framework for early site-level evaluation of PFAS. ASTM E3358 is best understood as a guide for gathering and interpreting initial information rather than a prescriptive test method. It may be used to support organized screening efforts, improve consistency across projects, and help align field observations, sampling plans, and preliminary characterization steps with a recognized ASTM standard.

Common use cases of ASTM E3358

This guide is commonly used when a site is being reviewed for potential PFAS presence and the first round of characterization is being planned. It can support environmental consultants, site assessors, and project teams working on screening programs, preliminary investigations, or due-diligence activities where PFAS may be a concern. ASTM E3358 is also useful when teams need a defensible starting point for evaluating site conditions, identifying likely areas of interest, and deciding what information should be collected next.

Benefits of using ASTM E3358

Using ASTM E3358 can improve consistency in PFAS site screening by giving users a common technical reference for initial characterization. That can help reduce uncertainty, support more efficient planning, and improve communication among stakeholders involved in compliance, environmental evaluation, or remediation workflows. It may also support better-quality procurement and project scoping by clarifying the type of early-stage information needed before advancing to more detailed testing, investigation, or risk-based decisions.

• PFAS site screening framework
• Initial characterization support
• Early-stage environmental planning
• Consistent project scoping
• Recognized ASTM guidance