Quantitative LC-MS/MS Analysis for PFAS in Concrete Matrices

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment
Oral Presentation

Prepared by L. Miller1, M. Deible2, M. Baker2, R. Hale2, V. Johnson1, T. Matsubara1
1 - Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, 7102 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD, 21046, United States
2 - RJ Lee Group, 800 Presque Isle Drive, Headquarters, Pittsburgh, PA, 15239, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 814-490-2033

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," have gained significant attention due to their persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation potential, and adverse health effects. Concrete, widely used in construction and industrial applications, can serve as both a reservoir and potential source of PFAS contamination, especially when exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Understanding the fate of PFAS contamination from concrete surfaces is therefore essential for environmental remediation efforts, regulatory compliance, and protecting public health.

To develop the analytical method a 0.3% aqueous solution of AFFF gel was prepared to simulate PFAS-contaminated water, while PFAS-free in-house water was used as a control. A concrete cylinder was cast using each water type, across three different concrete mixes: high strength, high early strength, and advanced pro mix. All cylinders were cast in accordance with ASTM C31, which outlines standard procedures for molding specimens.
Samples were ground and sieved, spiked with surrogates, and then extracted using 10 mL of 50:50 methanol:water. After filtration, acidification, and centrifugation, the sample was injected along with a co-solvent into a Shimadzu Nexera UHPLC coupled with a Shimadzu LCMS-8060NX QQQ.

The developed method targets 44 compounds contained within ASTM D8535 plus the addition of 6:2 diPAP. The method also used 25 surrogate compounds covering each class of PFAS. All targets and surrogates maintained a calibration curve %RSD and RSE less than 30%.
Triplicate blank matrix samples were spiked with surrogates near the mid level of the calibration curve. All surrogate recoveries in all matrices were between 70-102% except for PFTeDA in the advanced pro mix matrix. The %RSD for all the measurements were within 0.9-15%.

These results indicate this method will be applicable to ongoing experiments investigating concrete reuse or disposal, encapsulation of PFAS contaminated water, and the overall impact of PFAS on concrete.