Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
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PFAS is the generic name for organofluorine compounds. PFAS exhibit numerous unique properties, such as water and oil resistance, heat resistance, and chemical resistance that depend on the bond strengths between the fluorine (F) and carbon (C) elements contained in the compound. For these reasons, PFAS are used for a wide range of applications and products, such as water repellents, surface treatment agents, emulsifiers, fire extinguishing agents, and coatings. However, due to the strong bonds between the F and C atoms, PFAS do not readily break down, resulting in environmental persistence and accumulation in living organisms. Some PFAS compounds suspected to be toxic, in particular PFOA and PFOS, have been listed as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. EPA has also regulated PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Additionally, EPA has proposed several effluent limit guidelines setting the stage for regulation of PFAS in wastewater. Given the above circumstances, there is a need for the detection and analysis of PFAS in water, biosolids, soil, and other samples. Methods for PFAS primarily depend on using Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), however, as needs arise to analyze other PFAS newer methods with different instrumental techniques may emerge. For the past decade, Shimadzu has been leading the way developing new PFAS analytical methods and new techniques in effort to provide you with solutions to reliably measure these persistent organic pollutants (POP) in a cost-effective manner.
To monitor trace amounts of PFAS, a wide variety of factors must be considered, such as the compounds' wide range of chemical properties and potential contamination from equipment and the surrounding environment. This process requires not only determining appropriate analysis conditions but also extensive expertise. Fortunately, when using standardized methods, Shimadzu has worked out analytical issues for you and is able to provide fully vetted method packages ensuring your laboratory a minimal learning curve to be up and running quickly and stay running with minimal downtime.
Instruments used for PFAS Analysis
Shimadzu's robust LC-MS/MS systems for PFAS testing in environmental matrices provide effective, consistent performance and the high-quality results needed to meet the analytical demands in modern laboratories. These instruments are specifically designed to let more analyte in while keeping contamination out to deliver industry-leading sensitivity, selectivity, and quantitative accuracy for targeted compound analysis for all methods, whether Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) or cosolvation (often called direct injection).
LCMS-8065XE Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS
Our newest instrument combines technological advancements to bring sample analysis to a new level. Through evolution of our UF technologies, ESI probe, and collision cell, we are pushing the boundaries to achieve the highest level of performance. StreamFocus ESI enhances UFsensitivity™ analysis by reducing droplet dispersion. This specially engineered low-diffusion nebulizer enables greater ion intake while reducing gas consumption—making it particularly well-suited for reducing operational expenses. IonFocus optimizes ion transmission solving the common trade-off between contamination and sensitivity loss by using an electrode that focuses and directs only the target ions into the mass spectrometer and excludes contaminants. This results in a high sensitivity instrument with exceptional uptime for reliable, long-term analysis. This instrument is particularly suited for the cosolvation (direct injection) methods, providing low detection limits and minimal contamination from highly contaminated samples.
LCMS-TQ RX Series Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS
The LCMS-TQ RX series of triple quadrupole mass spectrometers provide you with robust and reliable results for PFAS and any other LC-MS/MS method. Rapid polarity switching, in just five milliseconds, enables analysis of positive and negative ions in one chromatogram; no need for separate analytical runs for pesticides, PPCP, or other analyses with target lists that require both positive and negative mode.
Choose between three instruments in the LCMS RX series to fit your application needs. Our premier instrument, the LCMS-8060RX, is highly sensitive. The LCMS-8050RX is also sensitive, providing high-speed analysis and precise results. Finally, the LCMS-8045RX is ideal for routine analysis, balancing sensitivity with a cost-effective price. The LCMS-TQ RX Series can be equipped with an APCI, DUIS™ or DPiMS ionization unit instead of the standard ESI unit offering a unique advantage to simultaneously ionize compounds using both ESI and APCI methods. All three ionization units share a simple design, allowing for effortless swapping between them to suit your specific analytical needs.
LCMS-9050 Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (Q-TOF) Mass Spectrometer
The LCMS-9050 delivers the highest possible levels of mass accuracy for dependable analysis of unknown analytes, or high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) screening methods. Like the LCMS triple quadrupole instruments, the system features rapid polarity shifting so you can analyze for both positive and negative ions simultaneously. The LCMS-9050 system is equipped with a high-precision temperature control system that inhibits even tiny mass variations caused by external factors. Therefore, analysts can use the system to measure accurate mass values without having to invest extended time and effort for mass calibration. Use this instrument to find and identify unknown and non-targeted PFAS in your samples.
LCMS-2050 Single Quadrupole LC/MS
For non-regulated work, such as designing systems for PFAS removal or PFAS destruction, you may not need the sensitivity of a triple quadrupole, the high resolution of the Q-TOF, or a regulated method. In these cases, a single quadrupole instrument, such as the LCMS-2050 may be suitable. A single quadrupole instrument provides you with reliable results, using a much less complex and more cost-effective instrument. Like our other LC mass spectrometers the LCMS-2050 is capable of rapid polarity switching to detect both positive and negative mode simultaneously.
Resources
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Shimadzu's robust LC-MS/MS systems for PFAS testing in environmental matrices are easy to use. They have been vetted for EPA methods for drinking water (EPA 537.1, EPA 533), wastewater (EPA 1633) and more, providing effective, consistent performance and the high-quality results needed to meet the analytical demands in modern laboratories.
Compare Shimadzu’s LC-MS/MSs here. With a range of options, Shimadzu can easily meet the needs for high-throughput routine PFAS analysis or more specialized applications.
PFAS Analysis Demystified
Efficiently quantifying the presence of PFAS in different types of environmental samples can be overwhelming, and three frequent issues deepen this challenge:
- Ruling out the LCMS instrument as the source of the PFAS contamination
- Streamlining the data process and review for optimal turnaround times of PFAS results
- Accessing support resources to expand the ever-growing workflows for PFAS
This video presents vetted LC/MS/MS methods and software designed to streamline PFAS analytical workflows by minimizing these three bottlenecks in the process.
Analysis of PFAS in Drinking Water
Shimadzu offers ready to use method packages, handbooks of analysis, how-to guides, and more for PFAS testing in Drinking Water samples in accordance with EPA Methods 533 and 537.1.
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Get your lab ready: How-to Guides for PFAS analysis
View our How-to guides for EPA 537.1 and EPA 533 to learn::
- How to set up your Lab for PFAS analysis
- What you need to prepare before running your first PFAS samples
- How to prepare your samples for PFAS analysis
- How to analyze your PFAS samples in LC-MS/MS
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PFASuccess Story - RJ Lee Group
Learn how Shimadzu can help you achieving success for testing PFAS in environmental and other sample types, like consumer products and more, whether you are doing targeted analysis by LC-MS/MS following EPA or ASTM methods (537.1, 533, 1633, 8421…) or suspect screening and non-targeted analysis by Q-TOF. Discover the PFASuccess Story from RJ Lee Group in this video.
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Where limits end, forever begins – testing forever chemicals globally
The Research Center for Eco Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (RCEES) in partnership with Shimadzu Corporation is pioneering high-throughput analytical techniques to tackle the growing challenge of PFAS contamination. Leveraging advanced mass-spectrometry and ultrashort-chain compound detection, their joint work aims to accelerate global solutions for emerging environmental pollutants.
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Meet your expert partners for PFAS Analysis
Environmental labs across the country – and around the world – are ramping up their response to deliver analysis of legacy and emerging PFAS compounds, with lower detection limits, and shorter turn-around times. To make this process as effective and efficient as possible, these labs are leaning on their technology partners to help with instrument selection, set-up, method development, and training. Watch these four videos to meet some of the Shimadzu experts working with customers now to:
- Provide pre-optimized methods for PFAS analysis (EPA 533, 537.1)
- Troubleshoot and streamline workflows
- Incorporate PFAS analysis into routine operations
- Ensure easy access to the latest PFAS monitoring tools
Featured Applications
Access below our featured applications and other documents that will help you to streamline your PFAS analysis workflows.
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EPA Method 1633: Method Detection Limits of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Aqueous Matrices using the Triple Quad LCMS-8060NX
Regulations for controlling the occurrence of PFAS in different environmental samples are developing fast. With the final approval of EPA method 1633, environmental laboratories have now a new standardized method to respond to the demand for PFAS analysis in complex environmental samples, such as wastewater, solid, biosolids, and tissue. Discover how to achieve reproducible results and quantification 10x lower than the EPA’s Limit of Quantitation for the analysis of PFAS wastewater according to EPA Method 1633.
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EPA 537.1 for PFAS analysis with the Shimadzu LCMS-8050: Demonstration of instrument and method performance.
Here we provide a framework for laboratories to evaluate the performance of each the individual steps performed in the laboratory for the analysis of PFAS by EPA method 537.1, including extraction and instrumental analysis. Discover how to implement an enhanced workflow that consistently achieves up to four times better detection limits for all targeted classes PFAS included in EPA method 537.1, even with a small injection volume of 2 µL using the Shimadzu’s LCMS-8050.
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EPA 533 for PFAS analysis with the Shimadzu’s LCMS-8050: Demonstration of instrument and method performance.
The enhanced analytical workflow (including sample preparation) from this work provides greater efficiency, achieving over 50% faster run times and reduced injection volumes down to 2 µL, for supporting PFAS regulation in drinking water. This leads to quicker analyses, less solvent use, and improved lab productivity. Learn more about the performance of the Shimadzu LCMS-8050 as part of a complete workflow for analyzing the target PFAS specified in EPA method 533.