Survey of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in consumer products available in Spanish markets

Abstract

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are anthropogenic organic compounds synthesized to resolve a wide diversity of societal and industrial issues. Unfortunately, it has been demonstrated that many of them pose characteristics to be considered as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 1. In order to minimize potential harm to human health and environmental damage its application in some uses has been restricted or banned, namely textiles, non-stick cooking ware, paper ¿microwave popcorn bags and baking paper-, carpets and firefighting agents. However, the range of applications where still PFASs can be found include waterproof agents, lubricants, paints as well as electric and electronic devices. Thus, we proceed with the screening of consumer products according to the decision of SC-8/18 2. Selected samples included articles with high consumer demand purchased in common malls from Madrid, and based on its properties to repel water, oil and dust, in accordance to prior studies 3-6. Sample treatment and extraction followed that described in Van der Veen et al. 2016 with minor modifications 7. Identification and quantification of ionic PFASs was performed using a Waters Acquity Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography system coupled with a Waters XEVO TQS, triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) operating in the multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode and equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected in almost all studied products, while perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was only found above the limit of detection (LOD) in four articles (carpet, mountain jacket, sofa cover and frying pan). PFASs with longer perfluorinated chains (C9-12) have also been found.