A method for the low-level (ng/g) determination of perfluorooctanoate in carpet by LC-MS-MS using matrix extracted standards.
Fluorotelomer-based acrylic polymers are applied to the surface of carpet to impart oil, stain, and water repellence properties. Concerns that fluorotelomer-based polymers are a possible source of "low level" exposure to humans, coupled with their widespread use have prompted the need to develop a method to detect and measure perfluorooctanoate (PFO) in carpet. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of PFO in carpet using a dual labeled 13C-perfluoroctanoic acid (13C-PFOA) internal standard is successfully developed and validated. Levels of PFO are determined using a gradient, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with acetic acid acidified water-methanol, separated on a 50 mm Phenomenex Synergi Polar RP column. Ions monitored are 413 (parent) and 369 (daughter) for PFO and 415 (parent) and 370 (daughter) for dual labeled 13C-PFOA internal standard. Accuracy and precision over three days for 5 to 900 ng/g PFO in carpet ranged from 2.4% to 7.6% and 3.7% to 14.1%, respectively. Overall extraction efficiency for samples (n=30) fortified with 13C-PFOA at 20 ng/g and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 5, 50, and 500 ng/g is 98.9%+/-8.1%. Specificity of the method was evaluated with two different carpet samples.
L'Empereur
Karen
K
Critical Path Services, 3521 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810, USA.
Stadalius
Marilyn
M
Zhu
Yongdong
Y
Mansoori
Bashir A
BA
Isemura
Tsuguhide
T
Kaiser
Mary A
MA
Knaup
Wolfgang
W
Noguchi
Masahiro
M
D002210:Caprylates / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid