Difference between revisions of "Nonylphenol"

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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.
 
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.  
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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. <ref name = OECD>[http://www.ospar.org/documents%5Cdbase%5Cpublications%5Cp00136_BD%20on%20nonylphenol.pdf OSPAR Commission, 2004: OSPAR background document on nonylphenol/nonylphenolethoxylates]</ref>
  
 
NP and short-chained NPEs are toxic to aquatic organisms. NP concentrations of 10µg/l can cause reproduction effects in [[pollution and benthic fishes|fish]], while concentrations of 100 µg/l are lethal. In [[pollution and marine mammals|mammals]] and fishes  the are also show to cause [[endocrine disrupting compounds|endocrine disruptive effects]]. They appear to feminize juvenile males by acting like estrogens.
 
NP and short-chained NPEs are toxic to aquatic organisms. NP concentrations of 10µg/l can cause reproduction effects in [[pollution and benthic fishes|fish]], while concentrations of 100 µg/l are lethal. In [[pollution and marine mammals|mammals]] and fishes  the are also show to cause [[endocrine disrupting compounds|endocrine disruptive effects]]. They appear to feminize juvenile males by acting like estrogens.
 
Since they are lipophilic, they accumulate in sediments, and [[bioaccumulation|bioaccumulate]] in aquatic species. They also have a tendency towards [[biomagnification]].  
 
Since they are lipophilic, they accumulate in sediments, and [[bioaccumulation|bioaccumulate]] in aquatic species. They also have a tendency towards [[biomagnification]].  
  
Concentrations up to 3,1 μg/l have been measured in [[estuary|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.
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Concentrations up to 3,1 μg/l have been measured in [[estuary|estuaries]]. In the liver of fresh water fish in Switzerland concentrations have been as high as 1 mg/kg [[dry weight]] of NP. Concentrations have been decreasing in the past 20 years as a  result from reduced use of NPEs.<ref name = OECD>[http://www.ospar.org/documents%5Cdbase%5Cpublications%5Cp00136_BD%20on%20nonylphenol.pdf OSPAR Commission, 2004: OSPAR background document on nonylphenol/nonylphenolethoxylates]</ref>
  
 
== Environmental standards and legislation ==
 
== Environmental standards and legislation ==

Revision as of 10:39, 7 August 2009

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

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. [1]

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 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