Shimadzu Journal Vol 11 (Issue 1)

Importance of the Topic

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely employed for their heat, water, and oil resistance in numerous industries. However, they persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, and present potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Drinking water is a critical exposure pathway, prompting stringent regulatory limits and the development of sensitive analytical methods to ensure water safety and sustainability.

Objectives and Overview of the Study/Issue

This compilation issue of Shimadzu Journal (Vol. 11, Issue 1) focuses on advanced PFAS analysis technologies and real-world applications. It features expert interviews on global PFAS challenges and detailed application reports demonstrating cutting-edge LC-MS/MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and EPA-compliant workflows. New instrument introductions underscore Shimadzu’s commitment to environmental monitoring and problem-solving.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Online SPE coupled to LC-MS/MS (Shimadzu Nexera X3 with LCMS-8060NX) for quantifying 44 PFAS at ng/L levels in drinking water with 15-minute runs and isotope-dilution calibration.
• High-resolution accurate-mass (HRAM) data-independent acquisition (DIA) on LCMS-9030 Q-TOF for untargeted PFAS screening and mass defect filtering integrated in LabSolutions Insight Explore.
• Triple quadrupole LCMS-8050 and LCMS-TQ RX series for EPA Draft Method 1633 and targeted quantitation of 40 PFAS in water, achieving EPA-defined LOQs and robust recoveries in wastewater effluent.
• Triple quadrupole LCMS-8050RX with CoreSpray technology for trace PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS in drinking water, automated SPE, and sub-ppt detection.
• Use of delay columns and specialized consumables to minimize PFAS background in LC workflows.

Main Results and Discussion

• On-line SPE-LC-MS/MS achieved linear calibration (0.5–100 ng/L), R² ≥ 0.99, and RSD <20% for 44 PFAS; recovery QCs met stringent method criteria.
• HRAM-DIA approach detected both known and novel PFAS-like species in surface water, identifying 16 candidates via formula filtering and library/database matching.
• EPA Draft Method 1633 validation on LCMS-8050 yielded LOQs ≤ method limits, calibration RSE ≤20%, IDLs down to 0.01 ng/mL, and stable recoveries (80–116%) in standards and effluent samples.
• LCMS-8050RX quantified PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS at 0.2 ng/L in drinking water with R²>0.9996 and SPE automation delivering recoveries of 82–103% and repeatability <4%.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Methods

• Regulatory Compliance: Meets EU Directive 2020/2184 and US EPA requirements for PFAS in drinking and surface waters.
• Enhanced Throughput: Rapid 15-20 minute runs and online SPE reduce sample preparation time and labor.
• High Selectivity and Sensitivity: CoreSpray nozzles, delay columns, and HRAM detection minimize interferences and achieve ppt-level LOQs.
• Robustness and Automation: Automated tuning, background checking, and SPE preparation improve data reliability and safety in routine labs.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Integration of AI-driven data review and spectral deconvolution to accelerate non-targeted PFAS discovery and risk assessment.
• Expansion of on-line sample preparation modules for complex matrices (soils, biosolids, tissues) to streamline multiresidue PFAS workflows.
• Development of greener consumables and lower-background LC systems to further reduce system-derived PFAS contamination.
• Harmonization of global PFAS monitoring standards with combined HRAM-TQ platforms for comprehensive regulatory coverage.

Conclusion

This issue highlights Shimadzu’s advances in PFAS analysis: from high-throughput online SPE-LC-MS/MS and HRAM screening to standardized TQ quantitation aligned with US EPA and EU regulations. Together with robust new instruments (LCMS-TQ RX Series) and software tools (LabSolutions Insight), these developments enable reliable, sensitive, and efficient PFAS monitoring across environmental, water utilities, and industrial applications, driving progress toward a safer, more sustainable future.

References

1. Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption.
2. US EPA Draft Method 1633: Analysis of PFAS in environmental samples, 2022.
3. LabSolutions Insight Explore Software, Shimadzu Corporation.