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Expanding Non-Targeted PFAS Analysis to Air Monitoring

Recent studies highlight the limitations of targeted PFAS analyses, which often detect only a fraction of the thousands of existing PFAS compounds. Non-targeted approaches, such as those employing CIC, have revealed a more comprehensive PFAS profile in environmental samples, uncovering compounds that might otherwise go unnoticed. This underscores the importance of non-targeted methods in providing a fuller understanding of PFAS contamination.

Building on the importance of non-targeted PFAS analysis in water and consumer products, applying this approach to the air matrix is the logical next step. Using thermal desorption and combustion ion chromatography (CIC), the capture and quantification of a broad range of PFAS compounds - including those not typically covered by targeted methods is possible. This enables a more complete understanding of airborne PFAS contamination.

To learn more about the approach and findings, attend Dr. Jay Gandhi's presentation at the upcoming National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) August 4-8. His session will expand on the methodologies and implications of non-targeted PFAS analysis in air. For more details, visit the NEMC website.

With the U.S. FDA banning PFAS-based grease-proofing agents in food packaging effective January 2025 and California enforcing strict limits on intentional PFAS use, the ability to do compliance monitoring of these compounds in various food packing items - think fast-food wrappers, take-out paperboard, pet food bags, gum wrappers - is essential. Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) provides a way to combust materials like these and then execute a non-targeted, total fluorine and chlorine analysis that detects trace levels of PFAS-related compounds.

Using high-temperature combustion (1050°C) followed by IC with sequentially suppressed conductivity detection, this method delivers accurate (80–120% recovery) and repeatable (0.5-1.5% RSD) results without requiring complex sample cleanup. It's a proven, scalable solution for labs monitoring evolving PFAS regulations across the consumer goods industry and our team has the application know-how to help optimize the system for your samples.

Download the full application note for more details.

Closing the Loop on PFAS Remediation: The Critical Role of Mass Balance

As environmental regulations tighten, verifying the effectiveness of PFAS remediation efforts has become increasingly critical. Fluorine mass balance analysis offers a comprehensive approach by accounting for both known and unknown PFAS compounds before and after treatment, ensuring that remediation strategies effectively reduce total PFAS loads.

By narrowing the gap between known and unknown PFAS, including precursors and degradation products, mass balance analysis helps improve our understanding of this evolving class of compounds and inform adjustments to remediation strategies. A combination of techniques such as non-targeted compounds by TOF, AOF, EOF using combustion ion chromatography (CIC), targeted compounds by LC-MS/MS, and precursor-derived compounds by Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay are instrumental in offering insights into the total fluorine content and the presence of otherwise undetectable PFAS compounds.

Implementing mass balance assessments is the future for validating the success of remediation technologies and informing necessary adjustments to treatment processes. For more details, download our seminar presentation here.

Temple University Research

Elham Akbari's work on "Thermal Treatment of PFAS: Investigating Pathways to Effective Destruction" focuses on supercritical water oxidation as a potential solution. She was awarded the 2025 Metrohm USA's Young Chemist Award for her work.

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University of Alabama Studies

Learn how researchers at the University of Alabama are using CIC to measure total organofluorine in a variety of complex water matrices and also track PFAS contamination through wastewater treatment processes.

Explore their methodology

Harvard University Approach

A team of researchers at Harvard University employ a comprehensive analytical approach combining CIC, targeted and non-targeted MS and advanced extraction techniques to detect and quantify known PFAS and their precursors in environmental samples, particularly in freshwater fish.

Review their findings

Advancing PFAS Testing: Tools, Trends & Total Fluorine Strategies for Environmental Monitoring

Engage with emerging research

Temple University Research

University of Alabama Studies

Harvard University Approach

Further reading and resources