Comprehensive Field Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheric PFAS Using a Multiphase Sorption Sampler and Tandem MS Detection

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

Prepared by K. Kabe1, R. Takahara2, K. Kanno2
1 - GL SCIENCES, INC., 2601 AIRPORT DRIVE, SUITE 270, TORRANCE, CA, 90505, United States
2 - GL Science Inc., 237-2 Sayamagahara, Iruma, Saitama, 358-0032, Japan


Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-984-1946

ABSTRACT

Amid increasing concern about the environmental behavior of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), our understanding of their atmospheric transport pathways remains limited. This study proposes a comprehensive, multi-phase sampling and analytical approach to evaluate the movement and diffusion of PFAS in the atmosphere.
We evaluated a sampling and analytical system designed to investigate various modes of atmospheric transmission of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Sampling was conducted using the FM4 sampling module, which is composed of sequential stages: particulate matter collection, sorption with polyurethane foam (PUF), and adsorption with activated carbon discs. This configuration is designed to efficiently capture PFAS-laden particulate matter (ranging from one to ten microns), as well as aerosol, volatile, and ionic PFAS species in a single sampling event.
Each sampling media fraction was subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for 33 ionic and 20 neutral PFAS species.
A multi-day field sampling campaign conducted in an outdoor urban environment demonstrated that the system was capable of reliably capturing and differentiating multiple airborne PFAS species. These findings indicate that simultaneous, multi-phase sample collection combined with GC–MS/MS and LC–MS/MS analysis can serve as a valuable approach to better understand the mechanisms and pathways of atmospheric PFAS transmission.