Abstract
Alkylphenols (APs) are ultimate breakdown products of alkylphenol polyethoxylate (APEs) that are used in cleaning and industrial processes. The most commonly used APEs in the market are the nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) and octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEs). As a result of their widespread use and their lipophilic nature, these compounds are ubiquitous in the environment and are currently of concern because of their toxicity, oestrogenic properties and widespread contamination. This review summarizes the concentrations of NPE and NP in different environmental media. The sources of NPE in the environment and toxicity are reviewed. Their distribution patterns in the environment as well as exposure pathways are discussed with a view to provide better understanding of these emerging environmental contaminants. It is envisaged that this review will heighten the importance of identifying emerging issues and data gaps, and generate a future research agenda on APEs. Keywords : nonylphenols, nonylphenol ethoxylates, concentrations, exposure pathway, sources, toxicity
Highlights
Surfactants are a diverse group of chemicals that are designed to have cleaning or solubilization properties (Ying, 2006)
NP levels were measured in 39 foods and beverages, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fish and meat, pasta, beer, coffee and chocolate, from German supermarkets, by Güenther et al (2002), who found a concentration range of 0.1–19.4 μg/kg. These findings suggest that food may be an important route of exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) like alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) in humans
Wastewater effluents were identified as a major source of APEs and their degradation by-products in the environment; more studies should be undertaken to measure the levels of APEs at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) outfalls, and terrestrial environments close to agricultural, mining and chemical industries, as the concentration are expected to be highest there
Summary
Surfactants are a diverse group of chemicals that are designed to have cleaning or solubilization properties (Ying, 2006). Short-chain APEs, such as NP1E and NP2E, have been analysed in a few studies and are often present in effluents at concentrations higher than their respective alkylphenols (i.e. NP) due to their higher water solubility (Glassmeyer et al, 2005; Loyo-Rosales et al, 2007).
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