A Strategy For the Extraction and Analysis of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Human Serum Using Weak Anion Exchange Chemistry

Challenges and Opportunities for Solid Phase Extraction
Oral Presentation

Prepared by K. Organtini, D. Stevens, K. Rosnack, J. Lewis
Waters Corporation, 34 Maple St, Milford, MA, 01757, United States


Contact Information: Kari_Organtini@waters.com; 508-482-3242

ABSTRACT

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are common, man-made, persistent environmental contaminants that are used in the production of many consumer products. Due to their prevalence in the environment, the products we contact daily, and the food and water we consume, PFAS are often found in the biofluids of humans. These compounds are very stable, therefore accumulating in the body and remaining for long periods of time. Studies have indicated that exposure to PFAS in humans can have adverse health effects including reproductive effects, immune effects, thyroid hormone disruption, and potentially cancer. Therefore, biomonitoring PFAS in humans is extremely important to understand exposure levels.

A method for the extraction of PFAS from human serum using a 96 well micro elution format will be presented. Weak anion exchange (WAX) is utilized in most environmental applications as the chemistry of choice for extracting a wide range of PFAS due to its mixed mode functionality (anion exchange and reverse phase). The WAX sorbent is utilized in this method as well for extraction of PFAS from serum. This extraction method is suitable for both legacy (such as PFOA, PFOS, etc) and emerging (such as GenX, ADONA, etc) PFAS contaminants. Method sensitivity and robustness of the full extraction and analytical solution will be reported. Method accuracy will also be reported using the NIST 1957 certified reference material.