June 7, 2001

Alkylphenols Bulletin:
Studies Support Safe Use of Nonylphenol

The Alkylphenols Bulletin periodically notifies manufacturers and users of alkylphenols and their derivatives of national and international developments of interest. For further information, please contact the APE Research Council at the address below.

Nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) - widely used as surfactants and cleaning agents in industry and in consumer products - are highly biodegradable and effectively removed from wastewater in properly functioning sewage-treatment plants. Furthermore, the weight of the scientific evidence continues to support the safety of NP, NPE and other alkylphenols (APs) and their ethoxylates when used as intended and disposed of responsibly.

These are the principal findings of a recent series of studies and papers relating to the environmental fate and effects of APs and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). The Alkylphenols & Ethoxylates Research Council (APERC) released a scientific overview of the studies today.

A total of ten studies conducted by more than 20 researchers examined biodegradation, levels found in the environment, environmental effect concentrations and safety assessments of alkylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylate products.

Alkylphenols are used to produce APEs, which are typically made from nonylphenol and octylphenol. The studies found that APs and APEs, including NPE:

• are biodegradable;
• are effectively removed in properly functioning sewage-treatment plants;
• biodegrade in a wide variety of soils, including agricultural and noncultivated soils in both temperate and Arctic regions;
• when present in sludge, will continue to biodegrade when sludge is applied to soil as a fertilizer;
• biodegrade during composting; and,
• when used responsibly do not pose a risk to the aquatic environment.

These latest studies represent the most up-to-date research on the environmental safety of alkylphenols and their ethoxylates, which are widely used in the production of textiles, pulp and paper, paints, adhesives, resins and protective coatings, as well as in cleaning products for home and institutional use. Previous studies were published by APERC in The Alkylphenols & Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Review. These most recent study summaries and earlier studies are available from APERC. Additional information is also available on the APERC web site, www.aperc.org.

 

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