Fully Automated Determination of PFAS in Liquid and Solid Matrices Via Online SPE Coupled to LC-MS/MS: Application to EPA Method 1633 Compound List

Automation & Innovation for Sample Preparation
Oral Presentation

Prepared by L. Ispiryan1, H. Korb2
1 - Trajan Scientific and Medical, Axel Semrau, Stefansbecke 42, Sprockhoevel, Northrine westfalia, 45549, Germany
2 - iChrom Solutions, 542 Cross Keys Rd, Sicklerville, NJ, 08081, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; +49 2339 12090

ABSTRACT

2 iChrom Solutions
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a significant environmental concern; with their ubiquitous presence, persistence, and bio-accumulative behaviour, these pollutants are often associated with potentially adverse effects on human health. Quantifying PFAS in environmental, biological, and food matrices is crucial for understanding their distribution and assessing potential risks. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), after solid-phase extraction (SPE), has proven to be the gold standard for accurate analysis for many PFAS analytes. To allow for more efficient analysis with a higher sample throughput, less human error, and “greener”, more economical, and ecological lab practices, automated analytical techniques are required. In this study, we explore the application of fully automated online SPE directly coupled with the LC-MS/MS system as a robust and efficient approach for analyzing PFAS listed in EPA Method 1633 in environmental liquid and solid samples.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have successfully employed this analytical technique for nearly one decade to analyze targeted PFAS in biological matrices. While online SPE LC-MS/MS for environmental samples using EPA and ASTM methodologies has shown success, its full potential across multiple methods and matrices remains underexplored. Our automated analytical approach facilitates the simultaneous analysis of soil samples according to EPA Method 1633 and aqueous samples following the co-solvation approach (such as EPA Method 8327) utilizing the same instrumentation and calibration curve. This leads to a significant increase in laboratory efficiency and substantial cost savings in terms of labor and solvent consumption.
We explore the advantages and limitations of this integrated configuration, with a focus on establishing Quality Control criteria compared to current method requirements, quantifying solvent, and labor savings, and evaluating the feasibility of running multiple methods and matrices on the same instrumentation. This work provides valuable insights for laboratories aiming to optimize resources and streamline analytical workflows in the comprehensive analysis of PFAS in diverse environmental samples. The findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of PFAS analysis, addressing critical environmental and health concerns.