Environmental analysis of fluorinated alkyl substances by liquid chromatography-(tandem) mass spectrometry: a review

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2006 Oct;386(4):953-72. doi: 10.1007/s00216-006-0471-9. Epub 2006 May 19.

Abstract

Fluorinated alkyl substances (FASs) are widely distributed contaminants that have been found in many environmental, human and biological samples throughout the world. Perfluorochemicals are used in many industry and consumer products, such as polymers and surfactants, because they have unique and useful properties (they are stable, chemically inert and generally unreactive). However, these compounds have also been found to be toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative. In recent years various analytical methods have been developed for the analysis of FASs in environmental samples. Most of these methods are based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), since this is considered to be the technique of choice. This article reviews the various LC-(tandem)MS methods described so far for the analysis of FASs in water, sediment, sludge and biota samples. It discusses the main experimental conditions used for sample pretreatment and for analysis as well as the most relevant problems encountered and the limits of detection achieved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Liquid / instrumentation*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Fluorine / analysis*
  • Fluorine / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Water / analysis

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Water
  • Fluorine