GC-APCI-MS promotes soft ionization of FTOHs and FOSAs/FOSEs.
[M + H]+ is selected as precursor ion for MS/MS and enhances sensitivity/specificity.
Instrumental LODs (1–5 fg) are 100 times lower than those obtained by EI/CI sources.
Concentrations in samples (1–100 pg L−1) are below LODs traditionally achieved.
Unknown PFAS were tentatively identified.