WWEM - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances(PFAS), are extremely persistent in the environment. Their production and use have resulted in severe contamination of soil, water and food. To protect public health, advisory and regulatory limits continue to be created and updated. Consequently, routine PFAS analysis has become challenging as not only low detection limits are required, but extensive compound coverage is a prerequisite nowadays. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate a direct injection UHPLC-MS/MS method for the ultra-low level determination of multiple PFAS compounds in drinking and environmental waters. The method performance study was completed on an ACQUITYTM Premier System with a XevoTM TQ Absolute mass spectrometer and UniSprayTM Ion source. Samples were prepared by dilution with an acidified organic solution containing internal standards directly into an autosampler vial. A method validation study was carried out on 2 common drinking water and 2 surface water matrices. The method performance was assessed using 3 spike levels at 1, 5, and 10 ng/L for all analytes, with 6 replicates at each level. Average method performance for trueness, repeatability, linearity, and sensitivity was assessed through inter and intra-laboratory studies. Improvements in both the analytical and isolator column technologies demonstrated in this work, as well as enhancements in negative ion sensitivity from the XevoTM TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer are helping to support ongoing efforts in PFAS analysis. This allows for easier, more robust, and accurate options as PFAS analysis continues into the future.