Fast and High-Resolution LC-MS Separation of PFAS

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment
Poster Presentation

Prepared by C. Muraco1, P. Lewits2, J. Simon3, P. Appelblad4
1 - MilliporeSigma, 595 North Harrison Road, Bellefonte, PA, 16823, United States
2 - Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, MA14/903, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
3 - Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
4 - Merck Life Science AS, , Oslow, , Norway


Contact Information: cory.muraco@milliporesigma.com; 814-359-5493


ABSTRACT

PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are persistent, man-made organic compounds, widely found in the environment. Recent awareness has brought attention to the toxicity of these substances. PFAS are associated with health risks such as cancer, infertility, low birth weight, and delayed puberty. Due to their stable chemical structure, PFAS have a high resistance to degradation and also possess a high accumulation potential. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have initiated actions against PFAS. For determination of PFASs, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a commonly used technique.
The new Ascentis® Express PFAS HPLC column is designed for the separation of novel and legacy short chain and long chain PFAS compounds containing branched and linear isomers, whilst adhering to EPA methodology requirements. Furthermore, a specific PFAS delay column prevents background PFAS contamination from interfering with the sample results in quantitative LC-MS methods. The Ascentis® Express PFAS HPLC column, with its Fused-Core® technology and a particle size of 2.7 µm, delivers fast and high-resolution separations with excellent selectivity, peak shape, and necessary retention to perform in EPA methods 537.1, 533 and 8327. These advantages are demonstrated, in one particular example, by the separation of all PFAS analytes from EPA methods 537.1, 533, and 8327 in under five minutes.