Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of synthetic organic compounds which have been utilized as aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) for firefighting purposes, and as stain and water resistant coatings on a number of consumer products such as clothing, furniture or cookware. PFAS compounds are highly stable from a chemical and physical standpoint, and their resistance to degradation in the environment has led to concerns over accumulating levels of PFAS in environmental habitats.
In this application note, a versatile and efficient direct inject approach to the analysis of 17 PFAS compounds in drinking and surface water samples utilizing a PerkinElmer QSight® 420 LC/MS/MS is presented. The method offers improved sample throughput, while reducing the potential of analyte loss and contamination that can result from SPE sample preparation.