Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade chemicals used in industrial applications and in the production of consumer products. Their widespread usage and resistance to degradation has resulted in PFAS being noted as ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and there are growing concerns surrounding potential health effects in human beings. While many of the long-chain PFAS have been recognized as harmful, shorter-chain PFAS and PFAS with alternative functional groups have emerged in their place.
Short-chain PFAS compounds are considered to be less bioaccumulative and less toxic than long-chain ones. However, their widespread use has resulted in an increased environmental accumulation of these compounds.
In this work, several methods will be outlined to meet the evolving landscape of PFAS analysis. These methods include U.S. EPA methods 1633, 533, 8327, and 537.1 as well as a further method for the analysis of ultra-short and short-chain (C1-C4) compounds where potential PFAS breakdown products are likely to be found.
