Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 39 PFAS in soil samples: applications to playgrounds in Attica, Greece

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are regarded as persistent environmental pollutants with the potential to exert deleterious effects on human health, particularly in children, who are highly susceptible to the effects of environmental exposures. This study presents the development and validation of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of 39 PFAS compounds in soil samples. Method performance characteristics that were examined through a fully validated protocol including linearity, precision, detectability, and trueness proved its fitness for environmental monitoring. This method was subsequently employed in an analysis of 67 soil samples obtained from playgrounds in Attica, Greece. The results indicated the presence of PFAS in all of the samples analyzed, with PFPeA, PFOA, PFDA, PFBS, and PFOS being the most prevalent compounds in terms of concentration levels. Risk assessment of PFAS occurrence in these samples showed that the risk quotient for PFOS exceeded 1 in 20% of the studied samples, indicating a potential risk of exposure for children. Concentrations varied depending on urban activities and potential pollution sources. This study provides a reliable tool for the systematic monitoring of PFAS in soil and emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk assessment in areas where children play.