This application note describes a rapid analytical method for the detection of 20 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human hair within 10 minutes.

Solid phase extraction (SPE) using the Agilent Bond Elut ENV cartridge was used to extract the sample.

The extract was then separated using liquid-chromatography (Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC) coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Agilent 6545 LC/Q-TOF) for accurate mass measurement of PFAS in hair.

The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were in the range of 0.07 to 0.5 ng/g, demonstrating the sensitivity of the method.

Linearity was 0.1 (or 0.2 or 0.5) to 10 ng/g, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 1 to 16%.

To verify the applicability of the method for the determination of PFAS in hair, 11 samples obtained from adults in the general population were tested.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2021, 2022
Printed in the USA, January 7, 2022
5994-4237EN