Isotopic “Fingerprinting” of PFASPer- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment
Oral Presentation
Presented by T. Graham
Prepared by B. Davidheiser, C. Mancuso, D. Tollstrup
Thermo Fisher Scientific, 1400 Northpoint Pkwy, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 303-328-7129
ABSTRACT
Isotopic “fingerprinting” is a technique used in forensic investigations, primarily in the food and beverage industries as well as law enforcement applications. The isotopic fingerprints in food and beverage products can be region- or process-specific. They can also indicate the region of origin of illicit substances or weapons manufacturing. In the case of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), we can use the Thermo Scientific EA Isolink™ or GC IsoLink™ II coupled with our Delta Q IRMS to differentiate between manufacturers of PFAS compounds or to differentiate between batches within a single producer (Dombrowski et al 2025). We are working with our customers and collaborators to highlight the proof of concept and expand this to environmental samples, as well as to showcase the ability of Orbitrap Exploris™ Isotope Solutions to make comparable measurements. Looking ahead, these techniques could illuminate point source contamination of PFAS compounds. Here, we will present progress in method development including sample introduction, methods, and measurement approaches.
