Characterization of nonyl phenol ethoxylates in sewage treatment plants bycombined precursor ion scanning and multiple reaction monitoring

A novel rapid screening technique for the profiling of nonyl phenol ethoxyl ates (NPEs) in sewage treatment plant (STP) influent/effluent was developed using flow injection with atmospheric pressure ionization coupled to mass spectrometric analysis by combined precursor ion scanning and multiple reac tion monitoring. The technique allows for total NPE concentrations as low a s 50 parts-per-trillion to be detected in STP samples. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. Ail rights reserved.