M537 PFC analysis challenges

[GrantW81]

Hi all, I am working on setting up a new EPA Method 537 at our lab for the analysis of perfluorinated compounds. We are having trouble with low recoveries of the lighter/early eluting compounds (i.e. PFBS, PFHxA). Everything recovers well when run as a pure standard, but the problem arises when doing the extraction with actual water samples. Anyone have thoughts on possible causes of the losses? Thanks!

[Steve Reimer]

The following step is the most likely to cause problems with lighter, more volatile compounds: The extract is concentrated to dryness with nitrogen in a heated water bath,