Analysis of difluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid in drinking water sources

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and difluoroacetic acid are ultra-short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have been found to be breakdown products of many pesticides. Pesticides, and therefore TFA, have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies as they are applied to farmlands, gardens, and lawns making their way into groundwater and surface water systems. The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) issued a guidance value for TFA in drinking water of 60 µg/L and a target value of 10 µg/L. In this application note from Phenomenex, explore a robust and reliable method for the determination of TFA from drinking water and mineral water well sources, using a Luna Omega 3 µm PS C18 column, by LC-MS/MS.