11 September 2024
Journal of Chromatography A
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained notoriety for
their persistence, potential toxicity and environmental impact, but assessment
of occupational exposure to PFAS is challenging due to their widespread use across
diverse industries.
A recent study in the Journal of Chromatography A has shed light on PFAS emissions from functional textiles used in
firefighter turnout gear. The
paper, a collaborative effort between researchers from Health Canada, SepSolve
Analytical and Markes International, demonstrates how thermal desorption (TD)
coupled with two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight massspectrometry (GCxGC-TOF MS) can provide valuable insights
into potential exposure risks.
Capturing comprehensive emission profiles
Volatile emissions were collected from various layers of firefighter
jackets—outer layer, moisture barrier, and thermal liner – using a microchamber
thermal extractor and then analysed by TD-GCxGC-TOF MS. This powerful analytical
approach captured wide-ranging volatiles and semi-volatiles in a solvent-free, non-targeted
manner, at temperatures mimicking core body temperature during wear.
The enhanced
separation of GCxGC-TOF MS was found to be imperative in tackling the
complexity of the resulting emission profiles, especially those of used turnout
gear. In fact, the structured ordering of GCxGC chromatograms enabled PFAS to elute
as a distinct band, well-separated from other analytes, simplifying their
identification.
Unsurprisingly, the moisture barrier layer was found to exhibit the
highest PFAS emissions, followed by the outer layer and thermal liner, while older
jackets showed elevated levels of fluorotelomer
alcohols (FTOHs), suggesting an increase in PFAS emissions with wear and use.
Such findings underscore the critical need to explore new exposure
pathways and identify emerging PFAS targets. Such steps are vital for assessing
the environmental and health impacts of these persistent chemicals,
particularly for high-risk groups like firefighters.
R. Aranda-Rodriguez, A. Piperakis, J. Grandy, L. McGregor, N.
Boegelsack, H. Calder, M. Edwards, W. Papas, J. Che, S. Shields. PFAS
emissions from functional textiles using micro-chamber and thermal desorption
coupled to two-dimensional gas chromatography- time of flight mass spectrometry
(TD-GCxGC-TOF MS). J. Chromatogr. A. 2024, 1733, 465219.