Wellington plays a key role in providing reference standards and developing advanced analytical methods for the detection of fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS) and their derivatives. methods for the detection of Fluorotelomer Sulfonates (FTS) and their derivatives, enabling accurate and reliable environmental monitoring.
Why use FTS?
In recent years, strict restrictions on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a highly persistent and bioaccumulative fluorinated compound, have encouraged the adoption of fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) as substitutes in many industrial and commercial applications, including fire-fighting foams, surface treatment agents and fog suppressants. The move to FTS is driven by a reduction in the use of the more problematic PFASs (perfluoroalkylated and polyfluoroalkylated substances), but raises concerns about the potentially similar environmental effects of FTSs.
Biotransformation and formation of secondary PFAS
Once FTS are released into the environment, they do not remain in their initial form. In landfill leachates , they often undergo chemical transformations , called biotransformations, under the action of micro-organisms or environmental processes. These reactions lead to the formation of secondary PFAS compounds, such as perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids (PFCA), which can be even more toxic and persistent. This transformation phenomenon makes the detection of FTSs and their by-products complex, requiring specialised analytical tools.
The need for increased environmental monitoring
Due to their persistence and associated risks, FTS are now included in analytical reference protocols for monitoring PFAS in the environment. These protocols incorporate advanced detection and quantification methods, often coupled with labeled reference standards, which enable accurate analysis of these contaminants at very low concentrations. Labelled standards, in particular, play a crucial role in improving the reliability of measurements in various environmental matrices such as wastewater, soil and biological tissue.
Urgent need for alternative solutions
Although FTSs are still considered an alternative to PFOS, their use raises new scientific and environmental questions. Rigorous, ongoing monitoring of FTSs is essential to assess the extent of their long-term impact and determine whether safer alternatives need to be developed. As the regulation of PFAS evolves, scientists and policy-makers need to work together to monitor and limit the risks of contamination, relying on robust analytical methods and reference standards such as those provided by specialist laboratories such as Wellington.
The new mass-labelled individual standard M2-10:2FTS is available for your analyses:
To facilitate quantitative analysis of 10:2FTS, Wellington has prepared a certified labelled reference standard for this compound (M2-10:2FTS), which complements our existing selection of native and mass-labelled sulfonate fluorotelomers.
| Catalogue No. | Description | Unit | Solvent |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2-10:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro(1,2-13C2)dodecanesulfonate (10:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol |
Native fluorotelomer sulfonates (X:2FTS):
| Catalogue No. | Description | Unit | Solvent | CAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexanesulfonate (4:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 27619-93-8 |
| 6:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctanesulfonate (6:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 27619-94-9 |
| 8:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanesulfonate (8:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 27619-96-1 |
| 10:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecanesulfonate (10:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 108026-35-3 |
Mass-labelled fluorotelomer sulfonates:
| Catalogue No. | Description | Unit | Solvent | CAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2-4:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro(1,2-13C2)hexanesulfonate (4:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 2708218-88-4 |
| M2-6:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro(1,2-13C2)octanesulfonate (6:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 2708218-89-5 |
| M2-8:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro(1,2-13C2)decanesulfonate (8:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | 2708218-90-8 |
| M2-10:2FTS | Sodium 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro(1,2-13C2)dodecanesulfonate (10:2) | 1.2 mL x 50ug/mL | methanol | N/A |
Find out more:
- Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS)
- Wellington Laboratories
- See the Wellington Reporter