Solutions for an Efficient Analysis of PFAS

PFAS ANALYSIS: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS WHAT’S THE BEST APPROACH TO ANALYZE PFAS? HOW TO AVOID SAMPLE CONTAMINATION & SAMPLE LOSS? HOW TO OPTIMIZE DATA PROCESSING? STREAMLINE PFAS ANALYSIS WITH SHIMADZU’S LC-MS1 MS SOLUTIONS Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is one of the most frequently used techniques to detect PFAS in environmental samples. LC-MS/MS workflows offer excellent sensitivity and a low limit of detection. Yet, researchers often face significant bottlenecks in the analytical process that must be overcome in order to detect PFAS efficiently: Data processing and review are laborious and time consuming. PROBLEM Use Shimadzu’s LabSolutions Insight software: • Easy-to-use and customizable • Automated QA/QC flagging for vetted methods • Ensure data integrity SOLUTION REVEALING THE INVISIBLE WEB Solutions for an Efficient Analysis of PFAS Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 6000 synthetic chemicals with a fluorinated carbon chain connected to different functional groups.1,2 These man-made substances – first produced in the 1940s – are released to the environment at various stages of manufacture, use and disposal of PFAS-containing products. Due to their extremely stable carbon–fluorine bonds, PFAS are resistant to degradation and accumulate in the environment and living organisms, earning them the name “forever chemicals”.3 Today, PFAS are present in the products we consume, the air we breath, the food we eat, the water we drink and inside our own bodies. However, new technologies are being developed to prevent them lingering in the environment indefinitely.4 These technologies together with proper monitoring of PFAS are required to help mitigate the harmful effects these substances have on humans and ecosystems. PFA production Product manufacture Waste management Consumer goods Drinking Water Ground water Regulatory agency Health risks Human exposure Wastewater treatment plant Atmospheric release Wet & dry deposition Air & Dust PFAS consist of an alkyl chain with multiple fluorine atoms attached (e.g., perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), GenX and many more). PFAS have many desirable properties, such as resistance to oil, grease, water and heat. ! PFOA, also known as C8 Old firefighting foams (banned today) used in airports and military bases used to be one of the main sources of environmental PFAS contamination.5 ! Human exposure to PFAS occurs through ingestion of contaminated drinking water and food, inhalation of indoor air and contact with other contaminated elements.6 ! Food Surface water Farmland Biosolids Leachate Wastewater GUIDELINES TO MEASURE PFAS As PFAS pose risks to humans and ecosystems, governments have established standardized methods to monitor PFAS levels and help manage their risk. EPA methods: • 533, 537 and 537.1 for drinking water. • 8327 for surface water, groundwater and wastewater matrices. • 1633 for wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate and fish tissue. ASTM International methods: • D7968-19 for soil. • D8421-22 for aqueous matrices. ISO standards • ISO 25101 for water, sludge, soil and sediment. Targeted analyses detection of specific known PFAS in a sample. Non-targeted analyses detection of all (known and novel) PFAS in a sample. ADVANCE PFAS ANALYSIS WITH SHIMADZU 1. Sunderland EM, Hu XC, Dassuncao C, Tokranov AK, Wagner CC, Allen JG. A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019;29(2):131-147. doi: 10.1038/s41370-018-0094-1 2. Portal on per- and poly fluoroalkyl chemicals. OECD. https://www.oecd. org/chemicalsafety/portal-perfluorinated-chemicals/aboutpfass/ 3. Wang Z, Cousins IT, Scheringer M, Hungerbuehler K. Hazard assessment of fluorinated alternatives to long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors: status quo, ongoing challenges and possible solutions. Environ Int. 2015;75:172-179. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.11.013 4. Meegoda JN, Bezerra de Souza B, Casarini MM, Kewalramani JA. A Review of PFAS destruction technologies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(24):16397. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416397. 5. Hu XC, Andrews DQ, Lindstrom AB, et al. Detection of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in U.S. drinking water linked to industrial sites, military fire training areas, and wastewater treatment plants. Environ Sci Technol Lett. 2016;3(10):344-350. doi: 10.1021/acs. estlett.6b00260. 6. Trudel D, Horowitz L, Wormuth M, Scheringer M, Cousins IT, Hungerbühler K. Estimating consumer exposure to PFOS and PFOA. Risk Anal. 2008;28(2):251-269. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2008.01017.x REFERENCES Consumables contain materials derived from PFAS that can contaminate the sample. Use PFAS-free containers (no Teflon or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) materials) to store stock solutions and samples. Mix the extract/sample before (re)injection. Some PFAS may settle, precipitate or adsorb onto vials when left for extended periods of time. Do not store samples in glass containers. PFAS can adsorb to glass, especially when stored for long periods of time. Test all consumables and SPE cartridges for PFAS, prior to the first use. Some methods require a step of solid phase extraction (SPE) to preconcentrate the samples. Install a delay column after the mixer and before the injection port to retain PFAS leaching from the instrument or present in the mobile phases. Several components of LC-MS/MS instruments contain materials derived from PFAS that can contaminate the sample. PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS Fluorine Oxygen Hydrogen Carbon ? ! ? ! ! The small sample volumes required result in less sample loading and low downtime frequency by using Shimadzu’s sensitive LC-MS/MS instruments. Combine with vetted LC/MS/MS Method Packages for PFAS analysis Water resistant clothing Firefighting foams Personal care products Stain resistant furniture Non-stick cookware Fast food packaging Paint Pesticides Photography products Stain resistant products Cosmetics Cleaning products Use Shimadzu’s high resolution quadruple time of flight (Q-TOF) instruments.