Occurrence of PFAS in Aqueous Samples Collected from Travel Environments Using ASTM Method 8421

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

Presented by D. Tran
Prepared by C. Shields, K. Adams, M. Shimizu, C. Via
SCIEX, 6390 Joyce Drive #100, Golden, CO, 80403, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 303-908-1050

ABSTRACT

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment. The strong carbon–fluorine bonds that define PFAS chemistry resist degradation by natural physical, chemical, and biological processes. Combined with their widespread historical and ongoing use in industrial and commercial manufacturing, PFAS contamination of environmental and drinking water sources has become ubiquitous. Because PFAS are not readily broken down, they can bioaccumulate in organisms exposed through contaminated water and other environmental pathways.
ASTM Method 8421 provides a standardized liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/MS) approach for the quantitation of 44 PFAS compounds in aqueous matrices. In this study, drinking water, airplane bathroom water, and airport fountain water were analyzed using ASTM 8421 to evaluate method performance across diverse water matrices. Analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and the method demonstrated strong reproducibility with reliable quantitation down to approximately 10 ng/L (ppt) for the majority of the 44 native PFAS analytes.
Isotopically labeled PFAS standards were fortified into calibration standards and field samples and used as internal standards to correct for instrument variability and matrix effects. Method detection limit reproducibility was confirmed through triplicate analysis across the calibration range. Additionally, selected water samples were spiked with calibration standards to assess analyte recovery, matrix effects, and analytical accuracy. The results demonstrate that ASTM Method 8421 provides a sensitive, reproducible, and robust approach for PFAS determination in drinking water and other aqueous matrices relevant to environmental monitoring via dilution and direct injection.