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PFAS is the abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are industrial chemicals and can be found in many industrial products such as paper, textiles and cosmetics. PFAS are difficult to break down and can be detected in the environment, the food chain and in human blood. PFAS are suspected of causing cancer.
In September 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published several limit values for PFAS and products containing PFAS. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also introduced a new method (EPA Method 1633) for determining PFAS in various matrices in January 2024. In addition, six PFAS were regulated by the EPA in drinking water in April 2024, which even introduced a limit of zero for PFOA and PFOS. Based on these developments, it is becoming increasingly important to detect PFAS in different matrices and to lower the detection limits.
On this page you will find a general workflow for PFAS analysis, all related products for chromatography, many brochures and some applications.
Figure 1: General structure of PFAS.
PFAS are mainly analysed in samples with a complex matrix such as various water samples (waste water, drinking water), soil samples or air samples. Due to these complex matrices in water and soil samples, it is essential to prepare the sample using SPE. Depending on the target group of the PFAS, different methods can be used. The procedure for sample preparation and usually also the analysis is described using prescribed methods such as EPA Method 1633, 533, 537.1 or ISO 21675:2019. The various methods are aimed at different PFAS. The most comprehensive method is currently EPA Method 1633, which can be used to analyse most PFAS.
For samples from the air, the PFAS must first be collected from the air. An air sampler such as the PFAS FM4 from GL Sciences can be used for this purpose. With the help of a pump, air is sucked through various filter media, which specifically collect ionic and neutral/volatile PFAS. The PFAS can then be eluted using organic solvents and analysed using chromatography.
Sample preparation is followed by analysis, which can be carried out using LC or GC. The PFAS to be analysed again play a decisive role in the selection of the appropriate method. Neutral and volatile PFAS can be analysed by GC. However, charged PFAS in particular are not detected, which is why LC is the preferred method for analysing both neutral and charged PFAS.
As PFAS are polyfluorinated compounds, it is important to ensure that no additional polyfluorinated impurities are introduced into the system. This can be the case, for example, when using PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, Teflon) or other polymers. As this cannot be completely avoided, especially within the HPLC system, so-called delay columns are used to keep the polyfluorinated compounds out of the system so that the sample can be analysed cleanly.
Due to its good water solubility and yet hydrophobic properties, reverse phase chromatography is ideal for analysing PFAS. By using special columns, which can also be used in 100% aqueous solutions, up to 40 PFAS can be separated in one run.
EPA method 1633 covers 40 different PFAS. Aqueous, soil and tissue samples can be analysed using the same LC method. Only the sample preparation differs.
1. PFBA 2. PFMPA 3. 3-3 FTCA 4. PFPeA 5. PFBS 6. PFMBA 7. PFEESA 8. NFDHA 9. 4-2FTS 10. PFHxA 11. PFPeS 12. HFPO-DA 13. PFHpA 14. PFHxS 15. 5-3 FTCA 16. ADONA 17. 6-2FTS 18. PFOA 19. PFHpS 20. PFNA 21. PFOS 22. 7-3 FTCA 23. 9Cl-PF3ONS 24. 8-2FTS 25. PFDA 26. PFNS 27. NMeFOSAA 28. PFOSA 29. PFDS 30. PFUnA 31. NEtFOSAA 32. 11Cl-PF3OUdS 33. PFDoA 34. NMeFOSA 35. NMEFOSE 36. PFDoS 37. PFTrA 38. NEtFOSE 39. NEtFOSA 40. PFTeDA
Column: HALO PFAS, 100x2.1mm, 2.7µm (92812-613)
Delay Column: HALO PFAS Delay, 50x3.0mm, 2.7µm (92113-415)
Mobile Phase A: 20mM Ammonium acetate
Mobile Phase B: Methanol
Gradient:
Time / min | %B |
0.0 | 20 |
12 | 90 |
15 | 90 |
15.1 | 20 |
18 | 20 |
Flow rate: 0.4mL/min
Back pressure: 505bar
Temperature: 44°C
Detection: ESI MS/MS (negative mode)
Injection volume: 2.0µL
Sample solvent: Methanol/Water (96/4)
MS System: Agilent 6400 series
LC System: Agilent 1200 series
The manufacturers GL Sciences, UCT, Restek, ThermoScientific, Waters and PerkinElmer have published comprehensive guides for the determination of PFAS, from sample preparation to analysis. In addition to columns for analysis, SPE cartridges, QuEChERS and other accessories for the PFAS workflow can also be found here.
HPLC - Reserved Phase:
Properties:
Sample preparation:
HPLC:
InertSustain AQ-C18
GC:
Sample preparation:
HPLC - Reversed Phase:
HPLC - Reversed Phase:
UHPLC - Reversed Phase:
HPLC - Ion Exchange:
HPLC - HILIC:
HPLC - Reversed Phase:
UHPLC - Reversed Phase:
GC:
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