Analysis of Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water Using the Agilent Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS
Characterization of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment
Oral Presentation
Prepared by T. Sosienski1, T. Anumol2, D. Yang1
1 - Agilent Technologies, 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, United States
2 - Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
Contact Information: theresa.sosienski@agilent.com; 408-553-7064
ABSTRACT
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have a range of industrial uses and can be found in various household items and consumer goods. PFASs can have adverse health effects and are extremely persistent in the environment; therefore, the USEPA has public health guidelines in drinking water for two PFASs, perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 70 ng/L. However, several other PFASs are also used in manufacturing and need to be monitored. To respond to this, a method was developed for the detection of PFAS in drinking water using the Ultivo triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer and a modified high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Several different classes of PFASs including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTAs), fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) and others were separated on a liquid chromatograph (LC) using a reversed phase C-18 column (2.1x50 mm). Since fluoropolymers are used in all LC systems, a delay column was employed to avoid PFAS background contamination. The compounds were analyzed in negative electrospray ionization using the Ultivo triple quadrupole LC/MS in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) mode. All analytes were detected rapidly (in less than 17 min) at levels lower than specified by US EPA Method, with RSD% less than 6% over 26 hours at 1ppb. Linear calibration curves with R2 >0.99 were obtained for all 17 PFASs. The Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS detected the presence of PFASs below the most stringent US state requirements, suggesting that the method provides good sensitivity and robustness for the analysis of real water samples.
Characterization of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment
Oral Presentation
Prepared by T. Sosienski1, T. Anumol2, D. Yang1
1 - Agilent Technologies, 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, United States
2 - Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
Contact Information: theresa.sosienski@agilent.com; 408-553-7064
ABSTRACT
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have a range of industrial uses and can be found in various household items and consumer goods. PFASs can have adverse health effects and are extremely persistent in the environment; therefore, the USEPA has public health guidelines in drinking water for two PFASs, perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 70 ng/L. However, several other PFASs are also used in manufacturing and need to be monitored. To respond to this, a method was developed for the detection of PFAS in drinking water using the Ultivo triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer and a modified high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Several different classes of PFASs including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTAs), fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) and others were separated on a liquid chromatograph (LC) using a reversed phase C-18 column (2.1x50 mm). Since fluoropolymers are used in all LC systems, a delay column was employed to avoid PFAS background contamination. The compounds were analyzed in negative electrospray ionization using the Ultivo triple quadrupole LC/MS in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) mode. All analytes were detected rapidly (in less than 17 min) at levels lower than specified by US EPA Method, with RSD% less than 6% over 26 hours at 1ppb. Linear calibration curves with R2 >0.99 were obtained for all 17 PFASs. The Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS detected the presence of PFASs below the most stringent US state requirements, suggesting that the method provides good sensitivity and robustness for the analysis of real water samples.
