Method development and validation for neutral PFAS in food packaging using fast low pressure gas chromatography -...

A new method for the targeted analysis of 37 volatile and semi-volatile PFAS was developed using fast low pressure gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The targeted analytes included fluorotelomer alcohols, fluorotelomer acrylates and methacrylates, perfluoroalkane sulfonamides, and perfluoroalkane sulfonamido alcohols. Two GC phases for volatile PFAS were evaluated under low pressure vacuum outlet conditions, enabling a total GC run time of 8 min. Inter- and intra-day performance demonstrated high accuracy and reproducibility. The method was further validated for the extraction of 37 targeted PFAS in both paper-based and plastic food-packaging materials across four spiking levels. Sample preparation used two sequential extraction steps employing four complementary solvents (hexane, isopropyl alcohol, methanol and acetonitrile) to provide broad analyte coverage and maximize recoveries. Acceptable recoveries and reproducibility, consistent with the AOAC SMPR® 2025.001 requirements for PFAS in food-packaging materials, were achieved for nearly all analytes in both matrix types. Method applicability was further tested by the analysis of 36 food packaging samples collected in 2021, 2024 and 2026. Notably, 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) was detected in some 2021 samples (range: non-detect to 811 ng/g) but was absent in the samples collected in 2024 and 2026. The validated method provides a rapid approach for quantifying PFAS precursors, supporting improved assessment of precursor sources, transformation pathways, and potential contributions to total PFAS exposure.