The selection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for biomonitoring can vary depending on regional or population-specific concerns. Commonly examined PFAS encompass a spectrum from short- to long-chain compounds (C4–C10). The ultrashort-chain (USC) PFAS with carbon chain lengths of shorter than C4 have become a major concern due to their prevalence and high levels of occurrence in environmental aquatic systems. Numerous studies have observed a rapid escalation in environmental concentration of USC PFAS, raising the concern of elevated human exposure. Assessing USC PFAS levels in blood not only facilitates monitoring of human exposure but also provide a tool to investigate potential risks associated with such exposure.
A simple and reliable workflow was established in this study to provide a unique solution for the integration of ultrashort-chain compounds into the measurement of PFAS in human plasma and serum. It aimed to develop a simple and reliable workflow to simultaneously quantify C1 to C10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, along with four alternative compounds, in human plasma and serum.
The reported method was rugged, accurate, and precise by implementing a polar-embedded column for chromatographic analysis. Most important, this solution can offer a valuable tool for gaining insights into human exposure to these emergent ultrashort-chain PFAS.
