Advancing PFAS Analysis: From Hidden Precursors to Food Safety Workflows

By attending this webinar you will:

• Gain practical approaches for detecting unknown PFAS in consumer goods and environmental samples
• Understand a simplified LC-MS/MS workflow for sensitive, compliant PFAS analysis in animal-derived foods
• Understand PFAS contamination risks in food and evolving regulatory expectations
• Explore automated and semi-automated PFAS workflows for complex food matrices.

Presentation 1: Hydrolysis as a Critically Important Step in the Analysis of Fluorotelomer Alcohols in Textiles and Other Products

• Vladimir Nikiforov, Senior Scientist, Environmental Chemistry and Health Effects, NILU, Tromsø

In this webinar, a simple hydrolysis-based approach for identifying and accounting for PFAS precursors in consumer products and environmental samples will be presented by its creator. The theory behind the method will be explained. Advantages and limitations of the recently certified EN 17681-1:2025 method will be discussed. Hydrolysis will be compared to oxidation as an alternative/complementary work-up for release of perfluoroalkyl substances.

The presentation will focus on fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH)-based precursor compounds, including polymeric materials that may degrade into regulated or hazardous PFAS. Attendees will learn how a straightforward hydrolysis procedure can convert precursor compounds into detectable free FTOHs while preserving valuable structural information for source identification and risk assessment. Case studies from textile extracts will demonstrate how preliminary hydrolysis revealed up to 1300-fold higher levels of previously “hidden” FTOHs compared to conventional analysis alone.

Presentation 2: PFAS Analysis in Animal‑Derived Foods Using a Direct Blend & Inject LC‑MS/MS Workflow

• Phil Taylor, Marketing Lead – Food & Environmental, PerkinElmer

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present major analytical challenges in animal‑derived foods due to complex matrices and tightening regulations. This presentation demonstrates a direct Blend & Inject LC‑MS/MS workflow for quantifying 25 PFAS compounds aligned with EPA Method 533 and EU requirements. The approach delivers ppt‑level sensitivity, excellent linearity, and robust performance without solid‑phase extraction.

Presentation 3: PFAS in Food – Addressing Contamination in the Food Supply Chain

• Margot Lee, Senior Scientist, Waters Corporation  and  MJ Madden, Technical Support Manager and Project Manager, PromoChrom Technologies

PFAS contamination in food presents a growing analytical and regulatory challenge, particularly as attention expands beyond water into complex food and animal protein matrices. In this session, Waters and PromoChrom experts explore practical, mostly automated workflows designed to improve robustness, efficiency, and data quality in PFAS food testing.

The presentation will feature real-world examples of PFAS analysis in food matrices, including eggs and animal proteins, highlighting different sample preparation strategies adapted to matrix complexity and laboratory throughput needs. Attendees will gain insight into how pressurized solvent extraction, SPE cleanup, and QuEChERS-based approaches can be combined with automation to streamline workflows while maintaining sensitivity and reproducibility.

As PFAS testing in food continues to evolve, this session will also provide a forward-looking view on emerging workflow optimizations and how labs can prepare for expanding regulations and increasing analytical demands.

What you need to know:

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

Presenter: Vladimir Nikiforov (Senior Scientist, Environmental Chemistry and Health Effects, NILU, Tromsø)

Vladimir Nikiforov is a senior scientist at NILU, working on method development for new types of analytes, with 40+ years experience in “PFAS” chemistry. He is a synthetic organic, organofluorine and physical organic chemist by background. In addition, he has 30+ years of experience in environmental chemistry with emphasis on trace organic analytical chemistry. Key expertise and research interest are: QSAR, PFAS, NTS, SVOC, suspect screening, microplastic, synthesis of standards, method development, GC, LC, MS, NMR, fate models, transformation products, reactivity of organic molecules, transformation kinetics, persistency, UV-compounds, tire additives, air sampling, air monitoring, Arctic pollution, derivatization methods, structure elucidation, international regulation, and chemical education. Previous publications and projects can be found here.

Presenter: Phil Taylor (Marketing Lead – Food & Environmental, PerkinElmer)

Phil Taylor is a Marketing Leader for Food & Environmental markets at PerkinElmer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience across analytical chemistry, LC‑MS/MS applications, and science‑driven marketing. With a background spanning water analysis, food and environmental testing, and global LC‑MS/MS workflow launches, he specializes in translating complex analytical challenges into practical, regulation‑ready solutions for routine laboratories.

Presenter: Margot Lee (Senior Scientist, Waters Corporation)

Margot Lee is a Senior Scientist at Waters Corporation, where she develops applications for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) analysis using LC-MS/MS. She has worked at Waters since 2022 and has a background in biology with a career in analytical chemistry. After contributing to the validation of Waters’ dual-phase SPE cartridges for PFAS analysis, she joined the PFAS applications team in 2024. Her current work focuses on manual and automated extractions of PFAS in environmental and food matrices. She is passionate about advancing understanding of contaminants that impact public health and sharing practical methods that support the critical research of scientists around the world.

Presenter: MJ Madden (Technical Support Manager and Project Manager, PromoChrom Technologies)

MJ Madden (They/She) earned a Master’s in Chemistry with honors from the University of British Columbia and joined PromoChrom Technology in 2023. As Technical Support Manager and Project Manager for new product development, MJ combines scientific expertise with a passion for customer success. They are currently leading initiatives to expand PromoChrom’s support services, including the launch of a comprehensive online support guide and enhanced field service capabilities for repairs and preventive maintenance. MJ brings a forward-looking perspective to environmental technology, helping customers adopt innovative solutions with confidence.