Overcoming Issues with Perfluorinated Compound Analyses
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs or perfluoroalkoxy compounds) compose a family of molecules that consist of varying lengths of fluorocarbons chains with a functional group, such as a carboxylic or sulfonic acid, attached. They have been used for more than 50 years in various products, such as firefighting foams, hydrophobic and nonstick coatings, and surfactants.[1] They are particularly resistant to degradation and tend to accumulate in organisms and the environment. PFCs have been the subject of increased scrutiny in recent years because of their potential adverse effects on human health. These compounds likely move into crops and livestock from contaminated soils and water sources. They are also commonly found in food packaging.[2]
Analyses of PFCs in a laboratory can be complicated. They are ubiquitous and abundant in lab settings because of their presence in some laboratory equipment, making them a very common source of analytical contamination. They also tend to adsorb onto surfaces. To achieve an accurate analysis, some precautions must be applied during protocol preparation and execution.