AppNote 262: Determination of Fluorotelomer Alcohols in Indoor Air using Cryogen-free Thermal Desorption GC-MS/MS

Abstract

Measurements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air have expanded. There are few analytical methods available which measure PFAS in air. Thermal desorption, gas chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS/MS) is being successfully used for this purpose by the US EPA for the evaluation of indoor air and indoor materials using a simple, valve-free thermal desorber architecture.

A complete cryogen-free, valve-free method for determining FTOHs in indoor air has now been developed [4] and evaluated using samples taken from both commercial and residential locations. The method called, “dynamic focusing” has excellent figures of merit and results in data that is reliable and simple to review. Small but measurable amounts of FTOHs in air were found at every location tested.