PFAS Analysis Solutions - ORDERING INFORMATION

Significance of PFAS Analysis Solutions

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with potential health risks. Accurate and sensitive detection of PFAS in water, soil, and biological matrices is critical for environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance and public health protection. Waters PFAS Analysis Solutions provide a fully integrated workflow designed to minimize background contamination, improve analytical precision and accelerate method implementation in LC-MS laboratories.

Study Overview and Objectives

This guide outlines the complete product offerings for PFAS analysis by Waters, including installation kits, sample preparation cartridges, chromatographic columns and associated consumables. The primary objectives are:

• To detail the composition of turnkey installation kits compatible with EPA and ASTM methods
• To describe sample preparation strategies using mixed-mode SPE for PFAS extraction and concentration
• To present column selection and consumables optimized for direct injection and enriched sample workflows

Methodology

The PFAS workflow employs a contamination-minimized LC-MS system configured with PEEK tubing, isolator columns and stainless-steel loop coils to reduce background PFAS contributions. Sample enrichment is achieved using Oasis WAX mixed-mode weak anion-exchange SPE cartridges, pre-screened for PFAS purity. Direct injection methods use glass fiber syringe filters. Chromatographic separation is performed on UPLC columns tailored to target analyte polarity and method requirements.

Used Instrumentation

Key instrumentation components include:

• Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class and H-Class systems
• Xevo TQ-S and Xevo TQ-XS triple quadrupole mass spectrometers
• ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 and CSH Phenyl-Hexyl columns
• PEEK solvent lines, fittings and isolator columns
• Oasis WAX SPE cartridges and Sep-Pak PS2 cartridges

Main Results and Discussion

The provided installation kits (Kits 1–5) support key PFAS methods: EPA 537.1, EPA 533, ASTM 7968 and ASTM 7979-17, or direct injection workflows. Each kit includes all necessary components—from SPE cartridges and precision standards to vials and PEEK fittings—enabling rapid deployment. Column and cartridge selections are optimized by sample matrix complexity and required sensitivity, with SPE sorbent sizes ranging from 150 mg to 500 mg.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Waters PFAS solutions offer:

• Minimized system-borne contamination via PEEK and isolator configurations
• Comprehensive QC-tested SPE cartridges to reduce false positives
• Streamlined method implementation for regulatory compliance
• Compatibility with a range of environmental sample types (drinking water, wastewater, soil)
• Evidence of robustness through native PFAS precision and recovery standards

Future Trends and Possibilities

Ongoing developments in PFAS analysis may include high-resolution mass spectrometry for non-target screening, automated SPE workflows for higher throughput, miniaturized LC systems to reduce solvent consumption and expanded SPE chemistries for emerging PFAS classes. Harmonization of global regulatory methods will drive further standardization of instrumental and consumable solutions.

Conclusion

Waters PFAS Analysis Solutions deliver a validated, end-to-end approach that addresses critical challenges in PFAS monitoring. By combining contamination-minimized installation kits, reliable SPE products and optimized chromatographic columns, laboratories can achieve sensitive, reproducible PFAS quantitation across diverse environmental matrices.

References

• Waters Application Note p/n 720006471EN
• Waters Application Note p/n 720006695EN
• Waters Application Note p/n 720006808EN
• Waters Application Note p/n 720006764EN
• Waters Application Note p/n 720006329EN