Revolutionizing PFAS Detection with Mitra VAMS Technology

PFAS contamination has become a major public health concern, with these persistent chemicals accumulating in the human body through exposure to contaminated water, food, and consumer products.Accurate biomonitoring is essential to assess exposure levels and potential health risks, yet traditional methods rely on venous blood collection, requiring trained personnel, specialized laboratories, and complex cold-chain logistics.

To overcome these challenges, researchers from Michigan State University, Duke University, the Colorado School of Mines, Eurofins Environment Testing Northern California LLC, and Phenomenex Inc. have evaluated the use of Mitra® Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS®) technology, for PFAS quantification in human blood and serum.

Their findings highlight Mitra with VAMS technology as a promising alternative, offering standardized sample collection with a fixed 30 µL blood volume while eliminating the logistical difficulties of traditional blood collection.

Using the SCIEX® 7500 system, the study demonstrated that VAMS achieves detection limits as low as 0.1 to 1.0 ng/mL, making it suitable for PFAS biomonitoring in the general population.

Comparisons with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST®) SRM 1957 human serum samples confirmed that VAMS provides accuracy comparable to traditional serum-based techniques while improving efficiency in PFAS extraction and analysis.

Additionally, VAMS offers advantages such as reduced sample volume requirements, simplified storage and transport without dry ice, and accessibility in remote or resource-limited settings. These benefits make it an attractive option for large-scale studies, occupational exposure monitoring, and clinical research into PFAS-related health effects.

The ability to reliably detect PFAS in blood and serum is crucial for understanding the long-term impact of these contaminants on human health. PFAS exposure has been linked to endocrine disruption, immune system impairment, developmental toxicity, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

By offering a more practical and efficient alternative to traditional blood collection, VAMS technology enhances exposure assessment and supports regulatory decision-making. This innovation empowers researchers and public health officials with the tools needed to better monitor PFAS exposure, inform mitigation strategies, and ultimately safeguard human health​.

↗️ People and PFAS: Quantitation in Human Serum and Blood Using Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS^®)