Cotton swabs supported in-situ assay for quaternary ammonium compounds residues in effluents and surfaces

Abstract Cellulose paper and cotton swabs have been tested as sampling, reaction and measurement media for quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) using the reagent Chromo Azurol S in the presence of aluminum cations (CAS-Al). On the basis of the results obtained a new method is proposed for the analysis of QACs in water samples which only entails the successive immersion of swabs into 1 mL of the samples, 1 mL of a solution of CAS-Al for the formation of a ternary blue complex, and 1 mL of water to remove the excess of reagent. The method can be used for the visual on site detection of QACs in effluents, as well as for their quantification within the 3.62–36.2 mg/L range through the direct me…