Is PFAS getting away from you?

Importance of PFAS Analysis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are synthetic compounds characterized by strong carbon–fluorine bonds that impart high persistence and mobility in the environment. Their widespread use and resistance to degradation pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems, making reliable detection and quantification essential for regulatory compliance and remediation efforts.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document outlines analytical strategies for detecting both known and unknown PFAS in water and soil matrices. It compares targeted workflows based on established compound lists with non-target high-resolution screening approaches, and incorporates a fluorine mass balance technique to prioritize samples for further analysis.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample Collection

• Water and soil samples collected in polypropylene containers to avoid contamination

Sample Preparation

• Water: solid phase extraction using a Dionex AutoTrace 280 PFAS system or direct injection for high-resolution screening
• Soil: accelerated solvent extraction on a Dionex ASE 350 followed by SPE clean-up
• Fluorine adsorption: automated sample adsorption using a Nittoseiko TXA-04 AOX unit prior to combustion ion chromatography (CIC)

Analytical Techniques

• Targeted LC-MS/MS on a Vanquish Flex 300 UHPLC coupled to a TSQ Fortis Triple-Stage Quadrupole for quantitation of known PFAS
• High-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRAM) on a Vanquish Flex UHPLC with an Orbitrap Exploris 120 for non-target screening and retrospective data mining
• Combustion ion chromatography for adsorbable organic fluorine measurement to assess total fluorine content

Instrument List

• Thermo Fisher Dionex AutoTrace 280 PFAS extraction system
• Dionex ASE 350 Accelerated Solvent Extractor
• Nittoseiko TXA-04 AOX adsorption unit
• Vanquish Flex 300 UHPLC
• TSQ Fortis Triple-Stage Quadrupole mass spectrometer
• Vanquish Flex UHPLC with Orbitrap Exploris 120 HRAM mass spectrometer
• Combustion Ion Chromatography system

Main Results and Discussion

Targeted workflows deliver high throughput and precise quantification of regulated PFAS with minimal interference. HRAM screening expands the scope to unidentified PFAS compounds and allows retrospective exploration of data. Fluorine mass balance via CIC highlights samples containing unexplained fluorine, guiding focused HRAM analysis. The combined approach yields comprehensive PFAS profiles across diverse environmental matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Improved sensitivity and specificity through optimized extraction and instrumental configurations
• Automation minimizes manual errors and accelerates sample throughput
• Retrospective data analysis adapts to newly identified PFAS targets
• Fluorine mass balance directs efficient allocation of analytical resources
• Applicable to regulatory monitoring, environmental surveys, and research studies

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments in ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry and advanced data analysis will broaden the identification of unknown PFAS. Integration of automated workflows, machine learning for spectral interpretation, and enhanced fluorine quantification techniques will support large-scale environmental monitoring. Standardized protocols and shared spectral libraries will improve cross-laboratory comparability and regulatory harmonization.

Conclusion

A tiered analytical framework combining targeted LC-MS/MS, high-resolution non-target screening, and fluorine mass balance analysis provides a robust and adaptable solution for PFAS detection in water and soil. This integrated strategy addresses both known and emerging PFAS challenges while maintaining high accuracy and throughput.

Reference

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Application Note IN000317-EN 0322M