Comprehensive screening of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in consumer products using pyrolysis GC-MS

This paper presents a screening method for diverse classes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products using a Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (Py-GC-MS). During the pyrolysis process, polar functional groups (carboxylic or sulfonic) are thermally dissociated, allowing the non-polar perfluoroalkyl moieties to elute through the GC column. We successfully detected various classes of PFAS, from non-polymeric forms of different chain lengths to polymeric forms, within 30 minutes, achieving detection limits below 1/100 of the typical intentional use concentrations of PFAS in consumer products. Therefore, the screening method can detect even low levels of intentionally added PFAS within a comfortable margin.