Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water and Soil Samples Using Draft EPA Method 1633 with Automated and Semi-Automated Solid Phase Extraction

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment
Poster Presentation

Prepared by R. Addink, T. Hall
Fluid Management Systems, 900 Technology Park Dr, Billerica, Massachusetts, 01821, United States


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

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) are compounds that are largely comprised of or contain a perfluorinated or polyfluorinated carbon chain moiety such as F(CF2)n- or F(CF2)n-(C2H4)n. PFAS are widely used in consumer and industrial applications. There has been increasing concern over the levels of PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) in the global environment and their fate and possible adverse effects.

Recent developments in the US regarding PFAS methods include EPA method 1633 which is currently in a draft stage and will allow for analysis of wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate, and fish tissue as matrices.

Both fully automated and semi-automated SPE systems were used for this work. We ran both wastewater samples and soil extracts for PFAS covering a total of 40 native compounds as per the draft method. Samples were spiked with isotope dilution standards prior to extraction. Aqueous samples were kept at neutral pH. Cartridges used were Weak Anion Exchange (WAX).

The semi-automated system uses a vacuum pump to do most of the processing steps such as cartridge conditioning, sample loading, drying and elution.

The automated system has pre-loaded programs on an S/D disk and is composed of PFAS-free materials such as PEEK and polypropylene and/or polyethylene. It can be run unattended. It is modular in nature and can run up to six samples in parallel.

Both systems have by design very low native background because of the avoidance of Teflon.

Preliminary results with method 1633 show recoveries > 80% and negligible native PFAS cross-contamination.