Objectives In order to develop a method for the simultaneous determination of 18 perfluoroalkyl substances in human serum samples, using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

Methods Firstly, the human serum samples were extracted by ion-pair solution, and then concentrated to dryness under nitrogen. Secondly, the samples were redissolved with methanol and water. Finally, the extracts were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS.

Results This method showed a good linear relationship from 0.01 to 5 ng/mL (PFOS is 0.01 to 25 ng/mL) of the 18 PFASs, and the correlation coefficients (r) is over 0.998. The limits of detection (LOD) were between 0.01 and 0.1 ng/mL, while the limits of quantitation (LOQ) were between 0.05 and 0.5 ng/mL. The recoveries of 18 PFASs were good, which were within 71.4%~119.8%, and the relative standard deviations between parallel samples were less than 15%. In order to verify the feasibility of this method, the experiment was conducted by four internationally recognized Quality Control Standards, of which the result were comparable with the reported and reference values.

Conclusions The method is sensitive, repeatable, efficient and simple, which could be used for the precise quantitative analysis 18 PFASs in human serum samples.