Trace analysis of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in various matrices—How do current methods perform?

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of industrial chemicals, some of which have been produced for over 50 years. Scarcely one decade ago, their ubiquity in wildlife, humans and the global environment was discovered. This urged the need for robust and reliable, yet very sensitive analytical methods allowing for their determination in various matrices. This article reviews the state-of-the-art in trace analysis of ionic and neutral PFAS in humans as well as environmental samples such as wildlife, water, solid matrices and air. Analytical protocols for PFAS determination in food and consumer products are also included. The methods are critically discussed in terms of their advantages, shortcomings, possibilities, limitations, and potential for further development.