Determination of Total PFAS in Food-Contact Materials Using Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment
Oral Presentation

Prepared by C. Shevlin, J. Hu, N. Rumachik
Thermo Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside Drive, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 774-402-0647

ABSTRACT

Determining PFAS content in environmental samples and consumer products is extremely important yet remains technologically challenging. The importance is largely driven by research detailing the potential negative health effects of PFAS on humans. One way that humans interact with PFAS is through the intersection of food and food packaging materials. Towards the goal of reducing PFAS exposure and controlling environmental contamination, 12 states have already enacted PFAS bans or limits in food-contact materials. For example, in 2023, California banned all plant fiber-based food packaging containing PFAS at levels exceeding 100 parts per million total organic fluorine.
While controlling PFAS content in these products will help reduce overall human exposure, the impact of PFAS in food packing and food-contact materials extends beyond the initial point of use. These materials will be sent to a landfill, furthering the environmental impact and risk to human health through leachate and other means of transport through the environment.
Methods for assessing total PFAS are crucial to understand the whole picture for possible exposure risk. Here, we present a method using Combustion Ion Chromatography to determine not only total fluorine, but also inorganic fluorine and total organic fluorine content in various food-contact materials. Three food contact samples were screened by CIC and contained high total fluorine amounts (>1000 µg/g). Inorganic fluorine contributed less than 1 µg/g for all three samples. Samples were cryogenically grinding and then extracted with methanol (80%)/acetonitrile (20%). The extracts were concentrated, and the extractable fluorine was determined by CIC. Extractable fluorine was found to contribute less than 20% of the total fluorine, raising additional questions about the importance of further regulation of PFAS samples.