There is disclose a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell and a duct to supply oxidant to the cathode of the at least one fuel cell. The duct includes at least one sorbent getter adapted to extract volatile species from the oxidant. The sorbent getter includes at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and manganese oxide. The sorbent getter provides the advantage of extracting volatile species from the oxidant stream.