Nonylphenol

Definition of nonylphenol Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are part of the alkylphenol ethoxylate group of non-ionic surfactants. All NPEs degrade relatively easily to form short-chained NPEs and nonylphenol (NP).: {{{definition}}} This is the common definition for nonylphenol Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are part of the alkylphenol ethoxylate group of non-ionic surfactants. All NPEs degrade relatively easily to form short-chained NPEs and nonylphenol (NP)., other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

Nonylphenol ethoxylates were used as emulsifiers, dispersive agents, surfactants and/or wetting agents and are the primary source of inputs to the sea of NP and NPEs. The main users were cleaning sectors. Other significant sectors were emulsion polymerisation and textiles. Estimated use in Western Europe in 1997 was 76 600 tonnes. In Europe their domestic use has been phased out since 1995, their industrial use since 2000. It can enter the marine environment mainly through waste water from industrial activities, which either produce or use NPEs or NP, and through municipal waste waters.

NP and short-chained NPEs are toxic to aquatic organisms. NP concentrations of 10µg/l can cause reproduction effects in fish, while concentrations of 100 µg/l are lethal. In mammals and fishes the are also show to cause endocrine disruptive effects. They appear to feminize juvenile males by acting like estrogens. Since they are lipophilic, they accumulate in sediments, and bioaccumulate in aquatic species. They also have a tendency towards biomagnification.

Concentrations up to 3,1 μg/l have been measured in estuaries. In the liver of fresh water fish in Switzerland concentrations have been as high as 1 mg/kg dry weight of NP. Concentrations are decreasing as a result from the reduced use of NPEs.

Environmental standards and legislation

Included in the OSPAR list of substances of priority action

Included in the water framework list of priority substances

See also

Nonylphenol on the ED North Database

OSPAR background document on nonylphenol/nonylphenolethoxylates