Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS) have been a trending global issue for a number of years now. As more research is being carried out on these compounds, their breakdown paths, and their bioavailability, additional methods are required to quantify at lower concentrations, and to look for novel chemistries. As this search has expanded, shorter chain, and particularly ultrashort chain (USC) PFAS with carbon backbone lengths shorter than C4 have become areas of focus. In the most recent EU Commission Notice for Drinking Water (C/2024/4910) the fact TFA was not included in their definition of “PFAS Total” is highlighted as potential cause for concern, and both TFA and USC PFAS more generally are highlighted as areas for more specific monitoring.
In this poster we examine two separate approaches to examining USC PFAS compounds. The first is a comprehensive look at a panel of PFAS compounds (C1-C14) with a dilute and shoot method using an inert coated, polar embedded alkyl LC column. The second is a more targeted screen via direct injection, focussed upon USC PFAS utilising a novel HILIC/ion exchange LC column. These methods were then confirmed utilising a variety of fortified potable and non-potable water samples (industrial effluents, along with bottled, tap and spring waters). Both workflows demonstrate accuracy, sensitivity and linear calibration ranges of ppt levels, within industrially acceptable recovery values (70-130%).
