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Determination of perfluorinated alkyl acid concentrations in human serum and milk standard reference materials

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Abstract

Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are certified reference materials produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology that are homogeneous materials well characterized with values for specified properties, such as environmental contaminant concentrations. They can be used to validate measurement methods and are critical in improving data quality. Disagreements in perfluorinated alkyl acid (PFAA) concentrations measured in environmental matrices during past interlaboratory comparisons emphasized the need for SRMs with values assigned for PFAAs. We performed a new interlaboratory comparison among six laboratories and provided, for the first time, value assignment of PFAAs in SRMs. Concentrations for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and other PFAAs in two human serum and two human milk SRMs are reported. PFAA concentration measurements agreed for serum SRM 1957 using different analytical methods in six laboratories and for milk SRM 1954 in three laboratories. The interlaboratory relative standard deviation for PFOS in SRM 1957 was 7%, which is an improvement over past interlaboratory studies. Matrix interferences are discussed, as well as temporal trends and the percentage of branched vs. linear isomers. The concentrations in these SRMs are similar to the present-day average concentrations measured in human serum and milk, resulting in representative and useful control materials for PFAA human monitoring studies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jessica Reiner and Jocelyn Flanary (NIST); and Tao Jia, Amal Wanigatunga, and Brian Basden (CDC) for laboratory assistance.

Disclaimers

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to specify adequately the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analytical Chemistry Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    Jennifer M. Keller & Steven O’Connell

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Antonia M. Calafat & Kayoko Kato

  3. Environmental Laboratory, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN, 55144-1000, USA

    Mark E. Ellefson & William K. Reagen

  4. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

    Mark Strynar

  5. Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada

    Craig M. Butt & Scott A. Mabury

  6. Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, M3H 5T4, Canada

    Jeff Small & Derek C. G. Muir

  7. Statistical Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Stefan D. Leigh

  8. Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Michele M. Schantz

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  1. Jennifer M. Keller
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Correspondence to Jennifer M. Keller.

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Keller, J.M., Calafat, A.M., Kato, K. et al. Determination of perfluorinated alkyl acid concentrations in human serum and milk standard reference materials. Anal Bioanal Chem 397, 439–451 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3222-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3222-x

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