https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3152-5144
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ABSTRACT
Real-time measurements of short-chain (C < 8) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were performed in Central New Jersey air using chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS). The CIMS was calibrated for C2–C6 perfluorinated carboxylic acids, and 4:2 and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohols. Of these, only trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was detected in ambient air above instrumental detection limits. However, instrumental sensitivities (and thus ambient mixing ratios) were estimated for other detected PFAS including C3H2F6O and C6HF11O3. TFA mixing ratios reached up to 0.7 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv). Estimated C3H2F6O and C6HF11O3 mixing ratios reached the single pptv level. These latter two formulas are consistent with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), respectively, though they may potentially represent multiple isomers. Diel profiles of detected PFAS along with local meteorological data can provide information on potential local sources of these compounds. However, only limited discussion of potential sources was provided here given the sparse detection of these compounds above instrument detection limits. These results demonstrate the potential of online CIMS instrumentation for measuring certain PFAS in ambient outdoor air in real time at or below the pptv level. This technique also has potential for fenceline monitoring and other near-source applications.
Implications: Online chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) has potential for fast, real-time measurements of certain airborne per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Three short-chain (C < 8) PFAS were detected by CIMS in Central New Jersey ambient air near or above the parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv) level. This technique also has potential for fenceline monitoring and other near-source applications for airborne PFAS.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Michael Borst and James Faircloth of U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) for their assistance with field site setup and logistics, Ryan Fulgham of U.S. EPA ORD for assistance with N2O5 calibration methods, Jonathan Krug of U.S. EPA ORD for project support, and Matthew Drews of Rutgers Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) for providing meteorological data collected at the PAMS Site. The U.S. EPA through its Office of Research and Development supported the research described here. It has NOT been subjected to Agency administrative review and is NOT yet approved for publication and may not reflect official Agency policy. Any mention of trade names, manufacturers, or products does not imply an endorsement by the United States Government or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA and its employees do not endorse any commercial products, services, or enterprises. J.M.M. was supported by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participation Program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
The authors have no funding to report.
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are openly available at https://doi.org/10.23719/1530551.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
James M. Mattila
James M. Mattila was an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) at the time of this work. He received his PhD in Chemistry from Colorado State University in 2021. His research focuses on studying airborne PFAS using online mass spectrometry instrumentation. He now works for U.S. EPA Office of Air and Radiation developing air pollution emission regulations.
John H. Offenberg
John H. Offenberg is a Research Chemist at U.S. EPA ORD. His research focuses on photochemical transformations in the atmosphere.