title: Analysis of VX nerve agent hydrolysis products in wastewater effluents by ion chromatography with amperometric and conductivity detection.
abstract: An analytical method, based on the use of ion chromatography, was developed to monitor the levels of three regulated VX hydrolysis products in the effluent from a biological wastewater treatment process--ethylmethylphosphonic acid, methylphosphonic acid and 2-(diisopropyl)aminoethanethiol. Previous methods have not been applied to wastewater matrices or 2-(diisopropyl)aminoethanethiol. Despite the specificity and sensitivity constraints of this method, it was possible to measure the compounds in bioreactor effluents down to a level substantially below the US Army discharge limit of 0.1% (w/v). Analytical data was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) at an independent laboratory.
authors.affiliation: SBR Technologies, 200 West Superior, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60610, USA.
authors.forename: Haishan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.forename: Randall B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staton
mesh_terms: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009680:VX-agent