Reliable detection of TFA in water

New DIN 38407-53 standard 

ion chromatography, PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as «forever chemicals», are under increasing scrutiny due to their stability and potential health risks. Among their harmful degradation products is trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), now frequently detected in surface, drinking, and groundwater. The new DIN 38407-53 standard (published in October 2025), defines a validated method for precise TFA quantification in water using LC-MS/MS.  
  
Metrohm ion chromatography solutions support this standard and enable accurate, trace-level detection of TFA using IC-MS/MS in environmental waters – ensuring compliance and confidence in your monitoring results. 
 

TFA determination according to new DIN 38407-53

Our Application Note presents a complementary approach using ion chromatography (IC) hyphenated to ESI-MS/MS for TFA analysis in water samples. This validated method ensures precise and reliable results with high reproducibility and complies with DIN 38407-53. 

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An introduction to ion chromatography mass spectrometry (IC-MS)

Our free White Paper presents a deep dive into ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (IC-MS), a powerful technique for the sensitive and selective determination of polar contaminants in water and other matrices.  

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Combustion IC as a straightforward approach to assess PFAS contamination

While targeted analysis of PFAS breakdown products like TFA is essential, a broader view is often needed to assess total PFAS contamination. Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) offers a robust and efficient solution for non-targeted PFAS screening by determining adsorbable organic fluorine (AOF), a sum parameter that captures a wide range of organofluorine compounds. 

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Download White Paper