A rapid method for the detection and quantification of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in bird feathers using UPLC-MS/MS

The bioaccumulation and toxicity of per- polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised scientific public concern in recent decades, leading to regulatory measures for some PFAS (e.g. perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)). In addition, the discovery new alternatives environment has led growing about presence numerous other that are used unrestricted. Feathers been successfully applied as non-destructive indicators various contaminants, mostly metals persistent organic pollutants (POPs), whereas their suitability an indicator is still discussed. Previous studies on feathers focused primarily perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) carboxylic (PFCAs); analytical methods groups or lacking. Hence, this study aimed develop a rapid, sensitive reliable method determining broad range (N = 32) feathers, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An extraction duration 24 h was found be sufficient extract majority from feathers. recovery internal standards ranged average 68% (PFBA) 97% (PFOS). spike within acceptable at least 70% most target analytes precision often > 80%. A further clean-up weak anion exchange (WAX) solid phase (SPE), proven unnecessary, it resulted similar lower recovery, and, consequence, higher quantification limit. allows detection low concentrations quantity matrix (i.e. small feathers). developed LC-MS/MS validated shown fast, legacy emerging