Invitation to Live Webinar Addressing Analytical Challenges for PFAS ‘The Forever Chemical’ Contamination

Details

Date: Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Location: Online

Time:

• 12:30 pm Thailand
• 01:30 pm Singapore / Kuala Lumpur
• 04:30 pm Melbourne

Presenter
Robin Philp,
Academia and Collaborations Manager
(SEA), LSAG SAPK Sales, Agilent
Technologies

Sori Mok Ph.D
Department of Marine Science and
Convergence Technology, College of
Science and Convergence Technology,
Hanyang University

Agilent invites you to attend our live webinar : Addressing Analytical Challenges for PFAS ‘The Forever Chemical’ Contamination

Novel and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a key issue of concern in global environmental studies. One or their subclasses, neutral PFAS (n-PFAS) is considered as contaminants of emerging concern and precursors of regulated PFOA and PFOS in the environment through photo-oxidation and microbial degradation. In this study, air, sediment, and wastewater samples were collected from areas in and/or surrounded by fluorochemical-related industrial facilities to characterize the contamination profiles of novel and n-PFAS using a gas chromatograph-based target and non-target analyses. Fluorotelomer alcohols were predominant in the samples, accounting for 80% of the n-PFAS, followed by fluorotelomer acrylates. Air samples collected proximate to the durable water repellent (DWR) facility had the highest concentration of n-PFAS, which was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than those found in others. Non-target analysis identified fluorotelomer iodides and fluorotelomer methacrylate in multiple matrices near DWR facilities, indicating significant contamination of n-PFAS. Levels of both C6- and C8-based PFAS reflected a shift in usage patterns from C8- to C6-based fluorochemicals. Matrix-dependent profiles of n-PFAS revealed that shorter-chain (e.g., C6) and longer-chain (> C8) PFAS were predominant in air and sediment, respectively, implying that air and sediment are mobile and secondary sources of PFAS. Untreated and treated industrial wastewater also contained n-PFAS and their transformation products. The findings shed light on our understanding of the multi- matrix distribution and transport of PFAS