Can Markes’ TD instruments be used to analyse PFAS in air?

Yes, thanks to their ability to preconcentrate trace-level VOCs, Markes’ thermal desorbers give excellent results for the analysis of volatile PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in air, especially when used in conjunction with a GC–MS/MS system.

This performance is attested by the numerous customers who are successfully using our systems for this purpose.

Despite concerns around contamination from fluoropolymer-based components used in the flow path, we have shown that there is no detectable contamination from PFAS in blanks run on high-sensitivity TD–GC–MS/MS systems.

In a separate study, a paper authored by staff at the US EPA provides independent verification that there is no PFAS background from the TD100-xr instrument, with the following statement: “The blank samples were analysed by TD–GC–MS to ensure that no fluorinated compounds were present as a result of tube background or potential PTFE contamination. All blank samples were found to be absent of fluorinated compounds”.

To learn more about this work and the other benefits of using Markes’ systems for PFAS monitoring, read Instant Insight 009.