Nonylphenol
Definition of nonylphenol (NP):
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[1].
This is the common definition for nonylphenol (NP), other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Notes
| Nonylphenol |
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| Formula |
| C15H240 |
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 short chained NPEs. The main users of NPEs were cleaning sectors, but they were also used in 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. NP can enter the marine environment mainly through waste water from industrial activities, which produce or use NPEs (or NP), and through municipal waste waters[1].
NP and short-chained NPEs are toxic to aquatic organisms. NP concentrations of 10µg/l can have effect on the reproduction of fish and concentrations of 100 µg/l are lethal. In mammals and fishes they are also shown to cause endocrine disruptive effects as they appear to feminize juvenile males by acting like oestrogens.
They are lipophilic, accumulate in sediments, and bioaccumulate in aquatic species. They also have a tendency towards biomagnification.
Concentrations between 0.2 and 12 μg/l are current in UK rivers and the Belgian Scheldt estuary. Concentrations up to 180 μg/l have been measured rivers receiving lots of sewage treatment works effluents[2]. In the liver of fresh water fish in Switzerland NP concentrations have been as high as 1 mg/kg dry weight. Concentrations have been decreasing in the past 20 years as a result from reduced use of NPEs[1].
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
References
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