Analysis of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in conventional and unconventional matrices: Clinical outcomes

Since 1950, the use of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) increased due to their heat resistance, lipophobic and hydrophobic properties; therefore, these compounds are widely employed to make waterproof and heat resistant coatings, such as food packaging or work wear. However, these chemicals represent a risk to the environment due to their stability to degradation. Moreover, these compounds properties represent a risk also for humans; many studies correlated their concentrations in biological matrices to pathologies, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. To this concern, the analytical detection in different biological matrices plays a crucial role to assess the presence of such analytes in different body districts. We performed a literature search in different scientific databases to review articles reporting the application of PFAS analysis for human exposure monitoring and for possible association with pathologies. The search resulted in 58 studies investigating PFAS presence in conventional matrices, such as blood and urine, and unconventional matrices. Although the solid-phase extraction was preferred for all the considered matrices, liquid-liquid extraction and dilute and shot demonstrated to be suitable extraction approach. The most used instrumental technique was the LC-MS/MS equipped with C18 chromatographic column, electrospray injection source operating in negative mode, and multiple reaction monitoring spectrometric acquisition. The untargeted detection of PFAS was attempted using an LC-HRMS method to elucidate possible new compound structures. Notably, the instruments and laboratory tools may represent an important contamination source due to the PFAS presence in their constituents. The development of an analytical method able to reach low limits of detection (LOD) and suitable for different biological matrices is crucial to study both PFAS health effects and a possible pharmacokinetics. For this purpose, current knowledge about PFAS analytical methods in biological matrices applied to human biomonitoring and pathology studies is reviewed to raise awareness of these chemicals’ activities.