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Original Articles

Investigation into perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in a cranberry bog: method development and sampling results

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Pages 2181-2189 | Received 12 May 2017, Accepted 30 Jun 2017, Published online: 13 Sep 2017
 

ABSTRACT

The contamination of groundwater and surface water from previous uses of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), particularly products containing the contaminants perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), has become a concern for drinking water and as a potential exposure route to the food supply. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was asked to investigate a bog in Massachusetts where the surface water was believed to be contaminated with PFASs. As a result, a method was developed for the analysis of PFASs in cranberries, and water and fruit from the affected bog were evaluated. A QuEChERS method was developed and validated for PFOA, PFOS, and six additional shorter-chain PFASs. Method recoveries ranged from 60% to 115% for validation spikes performed at 10, 20 and 40 ng g−1 and method detection limits ranged from 0.2 to 5.6 ng g−1. Bog water samples were analysed using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 537 for PFOA, PFOS and four additional short-chain PFASs. Surface water concentrations for PFOS ranged from 16 to 122 ng L−1 and input water concentrations were 132 ng L−1 and 206 ng L−1. Of the eight water samples, seven had water concentrations that exceeded the EPA health advisory level for PFOS of 70 ng L−1. Of the 42 cranberry samples analysed, none had detects of PFOA or PFOS above their method detection limits (0.4 and 0.5 ng g−1, respectively), nor any of the other short-chain PFASs.

Graphical Abstract

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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