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Recent developments in trace analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances

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Abstract

Recent developments, improvements, and trends in the ultra-trace determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in environmental and human samples are highlighted and the remaining challenges and uncertainties are outlined and discussed. Understanding the analytical implications of such things as adsorption of PFASs to surfaces, effects of differing matrices, varying PFAS isomer response factors, potential bias effects of sampling, sample preparation, and analysis is critical to measuring highly fluorinated compounds at trace levels. These intricate analytical issues and the potential consequences of ignoring to deal with them correctly are discussed and documented with examples. Isomer-specific analysis and the development of robust multi-chemical methods are identified as topical trends in method development for an ever-increasing number of PFASs of environmental and human interest. Ultimately, the state-of-the-art of current analytical method accuracy is discussed on the basis of results from interlaboratory comparison studies.

Separation of the linear, mono-trifluoromethyl branched, and di-trifluoromethyl branched structural isomers of PFOS and PFOA by ultra-performance liquid chromatography using a conventional C18 reversed-phase column. The PFOS and PFOA structural isomers were detected by tandem mass spectrometry

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Acknowledgments

Million Woudneh and Richard Grace (AXYS Analytical Services Ltd), Barbara S. Larsen (DuPont), and Michael D. Aucoin and Kelly A. Rinehimer (URS Corporation) are acknowledged for their work in the polypropylene container adsorption studies. Catherine Moller, MTM Örebro University, is acknowledged for laboratory work. Jacob de Boer is acknowledged for useful comments on a draft chapter. All participants and organisations that contributed (financially) to the ILS studies are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    Urs Berger

  2. DuPont Company, Corporate Center for Analytical Sciences, PO Box 80402, Wilmington, DE, 19880–0402, USA

    Mary A. Kaiser

  3. MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden

    Anna Kärrman

  4. Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Rd, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK

    Jonathan L. Barber

  5. Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Stefan P. J. van Leeuwen

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  1. Urs Berger
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  2. Mary A. Kaiser
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  3. Anna Kärrman
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  4. Jonathan L. Barber
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  5. Stefan P. J. van Leeuwen
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Correspondence to Urs Berger.

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Berger, U., Kaiser, M.A., Kärrman, A. et al. Recent developments in trace analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. Anal Bioanal Chem 400, 1625–1635 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4823-8

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