Comprehensive Assessment of PFAS Occurrence and Environmental Exposure from Cosmetics

Emerging Environmental Applications for High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Oral Presentation

Prepared by V. Zerda-Pinto1, J. Scott2, S. Comer-Warner3, R. Marfil-Vega4, E. Hain1, S. Monti1, L. Wiest1
1 - Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, 7102 Riverwood Dr, Columbia, Maryland, 21044, United States
2 - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, 1 E. Hazelwood, M/C 676, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, United States
3 - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1099 Hilltop Rd, Baltimore, Maryland, 21226, United States
4 - Shimadzu Corporation Japan, 1-3, Kanda Nishiki-cho, Tokyo, , Japan


Contact Information: [email protected]; 202-819-7655

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous contaminants with well-documented adverse impacts on the environment and public health. Although limited research has been conducted on the presence of PFAS in cosmetics, many cosmetics are rinsed off during use or ultimately disposed of in landfills, which may potentially introduce PFAS into the environment. Characterizing the presence and identity of PFAS in cosmetics is, therefore, critical for understanding human exposure through direct product use, as well as the contribution of cosmetics to PFAS loading in sewer systems and the environment.

Fourteen cosmetic samples (e.g., powder and liquid foundations) were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed for adsorbable organic fluorine using particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. Seven samples exhibited detectable total fluorine, with concentrations ranging from 310 to 1980 ppm. Targeted analysis for 40 PFAS included in EPA Method 1633A was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); however, no PFAS were detected above the limits of quantification, which ranged from 0.1 to 1.2 ng/g. To further investigate the fluorine mass balance in the seven samples with detectable fluorine, non-targeted screening was performed using the Shimadzu LCMS-9050 quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. PFAS features were monitored in all seven samples, using data dependent and data independent acquisition in both positive and negative polarities.