This innovation could transform the way scientists monitor toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in homes, workplaces and public spaces, introducing a faster and safer way to identify airborne contamination within seconds rather than days or weeks.
This breakthrough technology focuses on a technique known as superoxide chemical ionization mass spectrometry (O2-CIMS).
Unlike traditional PFAS monitoring systems that rely on hazardous chemicals and lengthy laboratory analyses, the new approach allows researchers to sensitively measure PFAS in air while using safer reagents that are easier to deploy outside of laboratory environments.
This discovery could significantly improve our understanding of how airborne PFAS spread into indoor and outdoor environments.
Researchers also found measurable emissions from common fast food packaging at room temperature, highlighting concerns about routine exposure to airborne PFAS from consumer products.
Why PFAS in the air is a big concern
PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a synthetic chemical widely used in products designed to be resistant to grease, water, and dirt.
They are used in nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, food packaging, firefighting foam, and more. These chemicals break down very slowly, which is why they are nicknamed eternal chemicals.
Although most PFAS research has focused on contaminated drinking water and soil, scientists are increasingly investigating PFAS in the air as a possible route of human exposure.
Certain PFAS compounds can evaporate into the air, circulate indoors or outdoors, and later be inhaled or deposited on surfaces.
Monitoring PFAS in the air has traditionally been difficult. Standard testing methods typically involve collecting air samples over an extended period of time before sending them to a laboratory for processing.
That means researchers only receive average snapshots of pollution levels, rather than real-time data that shows how emissions vary from moment to moment.
A faster, safer PFAS detection system
A new system developed at UNC-Chapel Hill addresses some of these limitations.
Existing real-time PFAS monitoring tools often rely on hazardous chemicals such as methyl iodide and nitric acid to generate ions for detection. These chemicals require extensive ventilation systems, making portable field deployment difficult.
The research team used superoxide as the reagent ion instead. Research has shown that this more secure alternative maintained strong detection performance while simplifying mobile operation.
The device can identify airborne PFAS at concentrations less than parts per trillion by volume, allowing researchers to detect extremely small amounts of contamination.
The system’s maneuverability may prove particularly valuable for environmental monitoring. Scientists frequently use mobile laboratories to study pollution near industrial facilities, disaster areas, and populated areas.
Reducing the need for toxic support chemicals makes real-time airborne PFAS monitoring more practical in these environments.
Unique chemical fingerprint increases accuracy
During the study, researchers evaluated several PFAS compounds commonly associated with industrial and consumer products. The system performed particularly well when measuring fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH), which is known to be one of the most airborne PFAS compounds.
One important advantage involves the device’s ability to generate a unique chemical “fingerprint” for a particular compound.
These signatures provide additional confirmation of what airborne PFAS chemicals are present and may reduce the need for more time-consuming laboratory analysis techniques, such as gas or liquid chromatography.
This capability can help reduce costs and expedite environmental investigations, especially in situations where rapid contamination assessments are required.
Exposure issues emerge in fast food packaging experiment
Researchers also tested emissions from fast food wrappers and packaging materials.
The instrument instantly detected PFAS emissions in the air from a compound known as 6:2 FTOH, even at room temperature. Emissions increased even more when the packaging material was rubbed together.
The findings suggest that common consumer products can release airborne PFAS into the indoor environment more easily than previously understood.
The researchers noted that heating food packaging can increase these emissions, raising further questions about exposure within homes and restaurants.
Although the technology showed good performance against certain airborne PFAS compounds, it did not detect all types equally.
Some PFAS acids remained difficult to measure using only superoxide-based systems. The researchers said the new method is intended to complement, rather than completely replace, older iodide-based surveillance systems.
Combining the two systems could give scientists a more complete picture of PFAS contamination in the air and how these persistent chemicals move through the environment.
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