Extending PFAS Coverage and Sensitivity in a Direct Injection UPLC-MS/MS Method for Water Matrices Based on EU and UK Drinking Water Regulations

This application note describes a direct injection method to fulfil the requirements of a list of 47 per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and the 20 PFAS contained in the 2020 EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD) totaling 48 analytes.

The work was carried out using an ACQUITY™ Premier UPLC System coupled to the XEVO™ TQ Absolute Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer using a UniSpray™ ion source.

Sub-ng/L Method Detection Limits (MDLs) were achieved for all 48 analytes using a 50 µL injection volume.

Method robustness was shown with validation batches analyzed over three days in drinking water, surface water and river water.

Benefits

Performing the direct injection on the XEVO TQ Absolute with UniSpray ion source allows:

A direct injection method, suitable for the detection and quantification of a wide panel of PFAS covering both EU DWD and UK DWI regulations

Improved productivity from reduced sample volume and preparation time

Enhanced sensitivity allowing sub ng/L level limits of detection to exceed typical drinking water regulatory requirements for PFAS.