Development of a certified reference material for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in textiles

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large group of emerging organic pollutants that contaminate the environment, food, and consumer products. Textiles and other outdoor products are a major source of PFAS exposure due to their water-repellent impregnations. Determination of PFASs in textiles is increasingly important for enhancing their contribution to the circular economy. While maximum levels and restrictions exist for certain key compounds under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the REACH regulation, certified reference materials (CRMs) are not currently available. To address this issue, the first CRM for determining PFASs in outdoor textiles (BAM-B003) was developed. It fully complies with the requirements of ISO 17034 and ISO 33405. This work presents the entire process of CRM development process, including preparation, a homogeneity study, a stability study, and value assignment. Certification was based on an in-house study at BAM using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA). The certified mass fractions of 18 PFASs range widely from 0.46 to 69 µg/kg, with a prevalence of PFOA (69 µg/kg), PFOS (41 µg/kg) and PFHxA (35 µg/kg) exceeding legal limits. BAM-B003 is intended for analytical quality control and contributes to improving the chemical safety of textiles and strengthening the circular economy.