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Investigations of per- and polyfluorinated compounds in environmental samples and contemporary products (2018 ACS)
Citation:
Strynar, M., J. McCord, J. Lang, S. Newton, D. Knappe, Z. Hopkins, M. Sun, AND A. Lindstrom. Investigations of per- and polyfluorinated compounds in environmental samples and contemporary products (2018 ACS). 2018 ACS National Meeting & Expo, Boston, MA, August 19 - 23, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation will focus on HRMS based analytical approaches that we have used to identify chemical species consistent with the characteristics of PFAS and further investigations of detected compounds.
Description:
Due to the usefulness of per- and polyfluoro alkyl substances (PFAS), they are in many applications and products, such as fluoropolymer dispersions, fluoro-surfactants, paper/paperboard coatings, and aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). Recent regulatory pressure has altered the chemistry of PFAS being manufactured and used in industrial and consumer applications. Many producers have moved toward the production of shorter chain per- and polyfluoroether compounds. These compounds are present not only in products, but also in waste streams of manufacturing processes and the nearby environment. Using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and such tools as negative mass defect screening, homologous series screening (ex. CF2, CF2O) and MS/MS for diagnostic per- and polyfluorinated fragments, PFAS can be detected in contemporary environmental samples as well as commercial and consumer products. A series of polyfluorinated compounds that contain central ether oxygens has been recently documented in the Cape Fear River, NC, in both surface and drinking water samples. Non-targeted analysis of water samples using HRMS high resolution mass spectrometry LC/MSD TOF was used in the past to identify novel polyfluorinated compounds. Contemporary samples were used to identify novel polyfluorinated ether acids that were previously undescribed and historical data was retroactively investigated to reveal the ongoing presence of the series. One advantage of HRMS and proper data banking is retrospective investigation of past samples.
