Automated Low Background Solid Phase Extraction System for Perfluorinated Compounds from Water

Oral Presentation

Prepared by L. Kramer
Fluid Management Systems, 580 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA, 02472, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 617-393-2396


ABSTRACT

Perfluoralkylated in particular perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),represent the final environmental degradation products of a wide range of other perfluorinated products and are the subject of varying but increasing levels of control in a number of countries. Automated sample preparation with the Fluid Management Systems PFC SPE system, the first automated solid phase extraction system made specifically for PFC extraction and concentration effectively reduces background contamination, with the extraction and concentration of multiple aqueous samples taking less than two hours. Extracts analyzed with LC/MS/MS confirms that background from the FMS system ranges from undetectable (PFUdA) to 0.214 (PFOA) nanograms per liter of sample. Preliminary data show recoveries of PFCs over 90%. Additional reproducibility is achieved in the extract concentration process, direct to vial concentrator tubes eliminate errors of transfer while reducing sample contamination from exposure. The completely automate process assures sample to sample consistency. The system, by design, has very low background PFC allowing for analysis of samples without any significant interference. Details about the extraction system, extraction method, and results will be presented.