Enthalpy Analytical is leading the way in pioneering the use of new, advanced technology to elevate PFAS testing services to a new level – helping customers ensure safety and regulatory compliance more quickly while spending less money.
What you get
In short, you get the same quality of data you’ve always gotten with other methods. You just get it faster and for less money, all while getting data for up to 65 analytes.
- Less materials needed: Instead of costly chemicals or cartridges, the 7500 just needs some methanol and some standards to conduct analysis. Less materials equals lower costs.
- Smaller sample size: Five (5) mL sized samples – instead of 250 mL or 500 mL – means no more large sample containers. Using conventional sampling, 20 samples – which could add up to over 50 pounds of weight to be shipped – (not counting the weight and cost of ice and packaging) can easily cost hundreds of dollars to ship. Shipping 20 samples for our DIA would costs hundreds of dollars less.
- Reduced sample preparation time: Smaller samples and less materials mean quicker sample preparation, reducing labor costs, which can add up quickly for SPE.
- Get your data faster: Faster sample preparation and increased sensitivity means you have your data in hand much faster.
- Savings over time: When saving hundreds of dollars per test, for an organization running many samples the savings adds up with the more samples you run.
Why now?
EPA Method 8327 was published four years ago to facilitate direct injection analysis for PFAS. The method was, in many ways, ahead of its time. The LC-MS/MS systems of 2019 could not perform the analysis and achieve reporting limits comparable to SPE. Whether for this reason or others, the method quickly fell out of favor. However, it’s time has come at last. With the advent of the Sciex 7500 and other LC-MS/MS systems that can achieve comparable sensitivity, DIA can achieve the same kind of reporting limits that sample analysis using traditional SPE can.
Traditional PFAS Sample Preparation
The vast majority of PFAS testing to date has used solid-phase extraction (SPE) to prepare samples for analysis. SPE does two things of value in readying a sample for analysis:
- It concentrates the target analytes from concentrations in the sample that are too low to be measured by most LC-MS/MS systems to concentrations that are high enough to be measured by most equipment, and
- it removes some (rarely all) of the sample components that are not PFAS compounds from the final sample extract that is analyzed on the LC-MS/MS system.
DIA PFAS Sample Preparation – The Enthalpy Difference
The SCIEX 7500 LC-MS/MS system enables testing for PFAS using a so-called “direct inject” approach with reporting and detection limits comparable to those that have traditionally required SPE. Rather than having to use SPE to prepare a sample for analysis, the sample can simply be spiked with stable-isotope-labelled analogs of the target analytes, diluted with methanol and then analyzed after filtration or centrifugation to remove particulates.
What’s next?
PFAS testing is becoming more of a high-visibility, high importance function that’s only going to get more emphasis with time. Enthalpy Analytical is one of the very few organizations with the SCIEX 7500, taking an active lead in developing and refining testing methods with this amazing piece of equipment. And as PFAS testing continues to evolve, it’s a near certainty that the EPA will develop a test method directly utilizing the capabilities of the 7500 and similar instruments. When that happens, you’ll be in good hands partnering with Enthalpy Analytical and leveraging the experience and volume of testing we’ve conducted.
For more information on PFAS testing or the SCIEX 7500 in particular, please reach out.
