High Throughput Analysis of Serum for PFAS Compounds by Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Jessica M. Morrison, Ph.D
Laboratory Scientist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suspected carcinogens and endocrine receptor disruptors containing halogenated alkyl chains with a hydrophobic moiety, such as carboxylic or sulfonic acid. PFAS can repel both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, making them common ingredients in products. Bioaccumulation of these compounds is of serious concern as they are stable and do not readily decompose. One PFAS, perfluoro-n-octanoate (PFOA), was found in the serum of 99% of the United States population between 1999 and 2008 (NHANES). The presence of PFAS is of major concern in Michigan, especially as it relates to the areas around U.S. Air Force bases and manufacturing sites. This high-throughput method is used to determine part-per-trillion levels present in serum samples.

Traditional PFAS analysis from biological samples involves a multi-step sample cleanup with SPE extraction usually coupled to LC-MS/MS analysis employing long and complex gradients. Here, we present a simpler, high throughput, small volume, extraction with minimal sample cleanup coupled to a robust, HPLC-MRM-MS/MS analysis.