Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via Supercritical Fluid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (SFC-MS)

Concerns regarding the potential health and environmental consequences of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are rapidly increasing due to the anticipation of negative health effects even at minimal exposure levels. The complexity of environmental matrices often require different identification and quantification techniques due to the vast number of PFAS species and chemistries, low concentrations, and site-to-site variability. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is the most widely used technique for PFAS analysis; however, it is limited to a set of highly studied species and may require complementary analysis to truly evaluate PFAS levels. The analysis of short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS has been challenging by traditional LC-MS methods. Supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry (SFC-MS) is an attractive complementary technique for the analysis of short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS. However, there have been very limited applications of SFC-MS for the analysis of PFAS. In addition to being an environmentally benign option, SFC provides an alternate retention mechanism beneficial for the retention of short-chain PFAS. We developed an analytical method using SFC-MS, operating in negative electrospray mode, to analyze PFASs, including the ultrashort-chain PFASs (C2-C4). This presentation will include details of our experimental approach to the analysis of PFAS using SFC-MS.