Tina Kallesona, Frederik André Hansen,b, Line Noreng,a,c, Steven Ray Håkon Wilson,a,c and Hanne
Røberg-Larsen,a,c
a Section of Chemical Life Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Norway
b Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
c Hybrid Technology Hub, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
Email: tina.kalleson@kjemi.uio.no
PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) degrade very slowly in the environment, earning them the name “forever chemicals”. Some types of PFAS have been linked to health risks such as cancer1 and liver injury2. To be able to monitor these substances, one must be able to measure their concentrations with the required level of precision. We have explored electromembrane extraction (EME) as a technique for selective extraction of PFAS. In classic EME, charged hydrophobic analytes migrate from an aqueous donor solution, across a hydrophobic liquid membrane and into an aqueous acceptor solution under the influence of an electric field.3 Most PFAS can be charged and are therefore suited for EME. The limited amount of organic solvent required compared to traditional methods for PFAS extractions suggests EME as a greener alternative. Preliminary data show promising results of extraction of short-chained PFAS from aqueous samples and medium chain length from biological samples. Small amounts (e.g. 20 %) of organic solvent can be used in the acceptor to enhance extraction of more hydrophobic PFAS, or to extract directly into the mobile phase. With the right choice of liquid membrane, more than 50 % dimethyl sulfoxide can be added to the donor phase, allowing a surprisingly high flexibility regarding solvent choices and analyte compatibility.
References
(1) Fenton, S. E.; Ducatman, A.; Boobis, A.; DeWitt, J. C.; Lau, C.; Ng, C.; Smith, J. S.; Roberts, S. M. Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2021, 40 (3), 606–630. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4890.
(2) Costello, E.; Rock, S.; Stratakis, N.; Eckel, S. P.; Walker, D. I.; Valvi, D.; Cserbik, D.; Jenkins, T.; Xanthakos, S. A.; Kohli, R.; Sisley, S.; Vasiliou, V.; La Merrill, M. A.; Rosen, H.; Conti, D. V.; McConnell, R.; Chatzi, L. Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Markers of Liver Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives 2022, 130 (4), 046001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10092.
(3) Pedersen-Bjergaard, S.; Rasmussen, K. E. Electrokinetic Migration across Artificial Liquid Membranes: New Concept for Rapid Sample Preparation of Biological Fluids. Journal of Chromatography A 2006, 1109 (2), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2006.01.025.