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Human Exposure to Alkylphenols and
Their Ethoxylates in Household Dust
April 20, 2005
Clean Production Action (CPA), an international advocacy group, recently publicized the results of a study that analyzed dust samples from 70 homes in seven states for the presence of various chemicals in six different chemical classes, including alkylphenols and their ethoxylates (AP/APEs). Considering that AP/APEs have been widely used in various household applications for close to 50 years, it is not surprising that trace levels of these compounds are found in household dust. In fact, the levels of AP/APEs found in the CPA dust study are consistent with those found in other household dust studies 1,2 . Contrary to the report's premise that we do not understand their effects, AP/APEs are very well studied.
Numerous toxicology studies have been conducted on nonylphenol (NP), the most commonly used AP, including long term studies that measure effects in rats over multiple generations. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 These studies conclude that there are no reproductive effects from NP at the highest possible exposures (up to 3 million times higher than the highest levels determined in these dust studies) and the very weak estrogen-like activity observed for NP occurs only at exposures of approximately 1 million times the highest measured levels in dust. Even conservative estimates that consider the lowest doses that resulted in any type of effect in rats - and included a 100-fold safety factor — indicate that concentrations of AP/APEs in dust are roughly thirty thousand times lower than safe levels determined for NP in mammalian systems.
In addition, NP and its ethoxylates (NPEs) are not readily absorbed through the skin11 and if ingested are rapidly metabolized (broken down) and excreted within 24 hours.12 Moreover, no unique toxicological responses have been observed or are expected to be associated with respiratory exposure to NP/NPEs.
The CPA dust report states that the chemical classes in the study were selected "because they are all listed as Chemicals for Priority Action within the OSPAR Convention." 13,14 It is important to remember that the mission of the OSPAR Commission is to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic and while AP/APEs have been identified by that organization as potential risk to ocean-dwelling organisms, the OSPAR document on NP/NPEs does not cite human health concerns as a reason for listing them as Chemicals for Priority Action.15 In fact, governmental risk assessments conducted in the European Union16 and Canada17 have concluded that current uses of NP/NPEs pose no concern for the safety of humans.
The Alkylphenols & Ethoxylates Research Council sponsors and monitors research to advance the scientific understanding of the health and environmental safety of alkylphenol products. For more information about alkylphenols visit www.aperc.org.
RELATED LINKS ON APERC WEBSITE
Newly Published Studies Support Human Safety Of Nonylphenol http://www.aperc.org/docs/bioavailability_bulletin.pdf.
1. Rudel, R.A., Camann, D.E., Spengler, J.D., Korn, L.R., and Brody, J.G (2003). Phthalates, Alkylphenols, Pesticides, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Other Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Indoor Air and Dust. Environmental Science & Technology, 37, 4543-4553.
2 Greenpeace. The House Dust Project 2002-2003. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?ucidparam=20021021123135&CFID=395413&CFTOKEN=12354157
3 Tyl, R.W., Myers, C.B., and Marr, M.C. (2004, February 12). Three-Generation, Endpoint-Specific Evaluation of para-Nonylphenol (NP; CAS RN 84852-15-3) Toxicity in Rats. Unpublished Report 65C-07946-000. RTI International, Center for Life Sciences and Toxicology, Health Science Group, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
4 Chapin, R.E., Delaney, J., Wang, Y., Lanning, L., Davis, B., Collins, B., Mintz, N., and Wolfe, G. (1999). The Effects of 4-Nonylphenol in Rats: A Multigeneration Reproduction Study. Toxicological Sciences, 52, 80-91.
5 Latendresse, J.R., Weis, C.C., Mellick, P.W., Newbold, R.R., and Delclos, K.B. (2004). A Five Generation Reproductive Toxicity Assessment of p-Nonylphenol (NP) In CD Sprague-Dawley Rats. Toxicologist, 1066, 219.
6 Nagao, T., Wada, K., Marumo, H., Yoshimura, S., and Ono, H. (2001). Reproductive Effects of Nonylphenol in Rats after Gavage Administration: A Two-Generation Study. Reproductive Toxicology, 15, 293-315.
7 Odum, J., and Ashby, J. (2000). Neonatal Exposure of Male Rats to Nonylphenol Has No Effect on the Reproductive Tract. Toxicological Sciences, 56, 400-404.
8 Odum, J., Pyrah, I.T.G., Soames, A.R., Foster, J.R., Van Miller, J.P., Joiner, R.L., and Ashby, J. (1999). Effects of p-Nonylphenol (NP) and Diethylstilboestrol (DES) on the Alderly Park (Alpk) Rat: Comparison of Mammary Gland and Uterus Sensitivity Following Oral Gavage or Implanted Mini-pumps. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 19, 367-378.
9 Odum, J., Pyrah, I.T.G., Foster, J.R., Van Miller, J.P., Joiner, R.L., and Ashby, J. (1999). Comparative Activities of p-Nonylphenol and Diethylstilbestrol in Noble Rat Mammary Gland and Uterotrophic Assays. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 29, 184-195.
10 Cunny, H.C., Mayes, B.A., Rosica, K.A., Trutter, J.A., and Van Miller, J.P. (1997). Subchronic Toxicity (90-Day) Study with para-Nonylphenol in Rats. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 26, 172-178.
11 Monteiro-Riviere, N.A.,Van Miller, J.P., Simon, G.S., Joiner, R.L., Brooks, J., and Riviere, J.E. (2003). In Vitro Percutaneous Absorption of Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE-4 and NPE-9) in Isolated Perfused Skin. Journal of Toxicology: Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 22, 1-11.
12 Green, T., Swain, C., Van Miller, J.P., and Joiner, R.L. (2003). Absorption, bioavailability, and metabolism of para-nonylphenol in the rat. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 38, 43-51.
13 Costner, P., Thorpe, B., and McPherson, A. (2005, March). Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products - A Needless Health Risk in Our Homes. Safer Products Project: Alternatives for a Healthy Home. A Project of Clean Production Action, Spring Brook, NY, USA. http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=dust&pf=abou&pft=About%20the%20Project
14 OSPAR Convention. http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/welcome.html.
15 OSPAR Commission. (2001, 2004 Update). Hazardous Substance Series: Nonylphenol/ Nonylphenolethoxylates. ISBN: 0 946956 79 0.
http://www.ospar.org/documents/dbase/publications/p00136_BD%20on%20nonylphenol.pdf
16 European Union. (2001, April). Risk Assessment Report: 4-Nonylphenol (branched) and
Nonylphenol.
17 Environment Canada and Health Canada. (2001, April). Priority Substances List Assessment Report - Nonylphenol and its Ethoxylates. http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/final/npe.cfm
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