Evaluation of an Accurate-mass Quadrupole Time-of-flight (q-tof) Lc/ms System for the Determination of Trace-level Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates in Effluents from Non- Activated Sludge Biofilm Reactors

The ability of a contemporary accurate-mass Q-TOF instrument coupled to a UHPLC to detect trace levels of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs) in complex wastewaters has been investigated. NPEOs are environmentally hazardous substances that affect aquatic organisms. The study was motivated by the “confirmation of contaminants” concept, which is based on the use of identification points (IPs) as proposed in the European Commission Guidelines (EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC) for the identification and qualification of organic residues and contaminants. Authors Åke Stenholm Surface Design, R&D, GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden Peter Abrahamsson Agilent Technologies Ltd, Sweden