Review of quality control measures of determination of per- and polyflfluoroalkyl substances in water using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: The basis for safe utilization and production

Per-and polyflfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have become the global concern. Reliable determination of PFASs concentrations is the cornerstone of its safety utilization and clean production. The category of PFASs was firstly summarized to clarify the confused use of the names for different PFASs. At least whole program blanks, pro-cedural blanks and instrument blanks are needed to monitor blank pollution in different stage. High grade of reagents, low background contamination, affective extraction methods and high resolution mass spectrometry could improve the method sensitivity. The most frequently used technique of solid phase extraction (SPE)-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) could determine volatile, semi-volatile and nonvolatile PFASs. The volatile PFASs such as fluorotelomeric alcohols should not be under nitrogen-blow after SPE process. There is an omit of concentrations of unknow PFASs in the target analysis on LC-MS/MS due to lack of certified standards. To overcome the underestimation, the non-targeted analysis of PFASs using high resolution mass spectrometry and other better techniques are needed. The study could provide help to scientific research and policy making of conventional and emerging PFASs.

Automated summary

Controlling pollution, improving sensitivity, and using high resolution mass spectrometry can determine volatile, semi-volatile, and nonvolatile PFASs.