Expanding the scope of PFAS screening and quantitation through targeted acquisition – water analysis and beyond

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds that have been the focus of research development for targeted quantitation.

PFAS are present in a variety of consumer products as well as firefighting foam that collectively can be introduced into the environment. Due to the chemical structure, these compounds are hard to break down and are therefore labeled as forever chemicals. As such, once PFAS compounds have been introduced into the environment, they can leach from their origin into the environment and have been detected in surface waters, soils, dust, plant tissue, and even in the air. Recently, concerns have escalated not only for understanding the wider environmental impact, but animal and human health have evolved as research has now focused on detecting and quantifying in human plasma and tissue.

The focus of this webinar is to explore the range of sample types examined for routine PFAS detection and quantification. Dr. John Bowden will provide an overview of the challenges non-water matrices presents for extracting and quantifying including finding blanks and validating the workflows. In addition, research will cover new methods to introduce a wide range of PFAS onto UHPLC columns and perform low-level detection and quantification of PFAS in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. The second part of the webinar will focus on targeted PFAS quantitation using the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Quantis™ Plus mass spectrometers supporting the EPA draft method 1633 which includes sample preparation using solid phase extraction (SPE) prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. The presented workflow will demonstrate key experimental strategies to improve laboratory productivity demonstrating not only effective sample preparation options but the software solutions critical to streamline the data processing to create standard reports.

Key learning objectives:

• Evaluation of the PFAS kits on the Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ UHPLC systems to minimize background interference to achieve stated LOQs

• Review of new hardware and software components in the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Plus mass spectrometers to boost PFAS analysis

• Demonstration of Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatography Data System (CDS) software designed to manage the entire experiment and provide comprehensive reports to increase laboratory productivity

Who should attend?

• Laboratories that are contracted for PFAS testing

• Researchers looking for workflows to increase detection and quantitation limits

• Regulatory agencies that are focused on developing new testing methods and requirements for PFAS studies

• Existing Thermo Scientific™ TSQ and Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ mass spectrometer operators who are interested in the next-level performance and productivity with the TSQ Plus mass spectrometer platforms

Presenter: Dr. John A. Bowden (Assistant Professor, University of Florida, (Gainesville))

Dr. Bowden received his B.S. in Chemistry in 2003 and in 2008 received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry both from the University of Florida. John was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at St. Louis University from 2009-2011, and then a Postdoctoral Fellow with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Charleston, S.C. from 2011-2013 and then became a Research Chemist from 2013-2018. In 2018, John joined the University of Florida and has published over 60 journal articles and over 20 focusing on PFAS.

Presenter: Kevin J. McHale, Ph.D. (Senior LC-MS Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Kevin is a Senior LC-MS Applications Scientist with Thermo Fisher Scientific. Starting his professional career in 1994 with DuPont Merck, Kevin helped implement “walk-up” LC-MS systems supporting synthetic medicinal chemists. In 1997, Kevin left to pursue his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry under the direction of Professor Rick Yost at the University of Florida. Kevin’s research focus was studying ion trap fundamentals and developing nano LC-MS/MS techniques. Upon completion in 2002, Kevin joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an LC-MS Marketing Specialist supporting the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Quantum™ triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. With over 21 years at Thermo Fisher, Kevin presently specializes in developing methodology for quantitative LC-MS analyses of small organic compounds on the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ and Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap Exploris™ mass spectrometer product lines.