November 29, 2000

ALKYLPHENOLS BULLETIN
STUDY FINDS NO ENDOCRINE EFFECTS FROM OCTYLPHENOL

A comprehensive multi-generation animal reproduction study conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), North Carolina, has found no evidence of endocrine-disrupting effects from exposure to octylphenol.

This RTI study was declared to be a definitive "body of knowledge" on the chemical by a peer-review panel of scientists convened by the US National Toxicology Program to explore the potential for endocrine-disrupting effects to be caused by low level or "low-dose" exposures to chemicals. The National Toxicology Program provided a summary of the panel's findings on October 12.

The study, which examined a wide range of exposures to octylphenol, followed the testing guidelines of the US Environmental Protection Agency (Guideline 870.3800) with additional endpoints and measurements to ensure detection of endocrine activity. The EPA's Endocrine Disrupter Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC) subsequently recognized the 2-generation protocol as definitive for detecting reproductive effects of endocrine active chemicals. The study was conducted by Dr. Rochelle Tyl who served as a member of the EPA advisory committee for EDSTAC.

The "low-dose" theory, advanced recently by some researchers, holds that endocrine effects might occur from very low exposures to chemicals even when no effects are seen at the higher exposure levels normally tested. In its review of a number of chemicals, the panel found the evidence for the low-dose theory to be inconclusive and recommended further research. The RTI study, however, was considered by the panel to be definitive in demonstrating the lack of low-dose effects from octylphenol. In fact, no endocrine effects were observed in the study at any of the doses used. For more information about the RTI study go to http://www.aperc.org/bulletin9-7-99.htm.

Octylphenol belongs to a larger family of chemicals called alkylphenols. Alkylphenols are reacted with ethylene oxide to manufacture surfactant products called alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs are used as cleaning agents and other high value products in a wide range of industries.

"The RTI study supports the findings of numerous other studies which have shown no known risk to human health from the use of octylphenol based products" said Robert Fensterheim, Executive Director of the Alkylphenols & Ethoxylates Research Council. Fensterheim said the Council maintains its support for the continued safe and responsible use of alkylphenol-based products through widely accepted product stewardship and wastewater treatment practices. Additional information is available at www.aperc.org.                                                                                                                              

 

Site Map   ·   Feedback/Contact Us   ·   Members Only