A comprehensive monitoring study, sponsored by the Chemical Manufacturers Association and designed in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measured the levels of nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates (NPE) in 30 rivers. The sites, all receiving municipal or industrial wastewater, were selected at random from EPA’s United States river reach database by a statistical procedure. Water column and bottom sediment samples were collected along a perpendicular transect at each site. All samples were assayed for NP and NPE1, and the higher ethoxylates (NPE2 to NPE17) were determined in the water samples. Analysis was by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection of microgram quantities of NPE obtained by extractive steam distillation (NP and NPE1) or a dualcolumn extraction procedure (NPE2 to NPE17). Sample collection and analytical procedures were validated according to rigorous EPA guidelines, and quality assurance standards were met throughout the study. NP and NPE concentrations in river water were mostly (60 to 75% of the samples) below their detection limits (about 0.1 ppb for NP, NPE1, and NPE2; 1.6 ppb for NPE3–17). The highest levels found were about 1 ppb for NP, NPE1, and NPE2, 15 ppb for NPE3–17. A majority of sediment samples contained detectable amounts of NP and NPE1, ranging up to 3000 ppb for NP and 170 ppb for NPE1. Sediment interstitial water concentrations of NP were estimated to be similar to concentrations in the water column.

A ionic surfactants widely used in many institutional and household cleaning products and industrial processes. They have been popular for their effectiveness, economy and ease of handling and formulating for more than 40 years. They function as emulsifiers, detergents, wetting agents and dispersants. One of the largest application areas for alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) is textile wet processing. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are by far the most important APEs, accounting for about k i 3 STR ACT Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), 80% of the total APE volume. Formulated products for fiber sizing, spinning, weaving, fabric dyeing, scouring and washing commonly contain NPEs. Water-based paints, inks and adhesives are also likely to contain NPEs. NPEs are manufactured by a basecatalyzed reaction of ethylene oxide with nonylphenol (NP). NP is produced from phenol and "nonene" using acid catalysis and consists almost entirely of the para positional isomer. Nonene is a branched C, olefin made by trimerizing propylene and consists of many isomers.'.* The generic NF'E structure is depicted in Fig. 1. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide per mole of NP (n) ranges from 1 to 100. Relative amounts of the indisurfactants commonly used in textile manufacture as Well as in industrial and household cleaning products, ' peak at n. are perceived by some users as potentially hazardous to the environment. Producers have a great deal of information on the ewironmental fate and effects of High Point, N.C.

Abstract-The extensive database of acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data for alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and selected biodegradation intermediates was reviewed and summarized for freshwater and saltwater aquatic microorganisms, algae, invertebrates, and fish inhabiting cold and warm water bodies. Most acute toxicity studies that tested APE-9 and APE-10, the most common commercially relevant APEs, reported results that ranged from about 1,000 to 10,000 g/L. Results from studies testing alkylphenols, intermediate by-products of APE biodegradation, ranged from about 20 to 3,000 g/L. Chronic values are a factor of about 2 to 10 lower. Although most studies used one of several common species and standard protocols to assay conventional endpoints, many nontraditional species and toxicological endpoints were also used. This toxicological database encompasses virtually all important types of aquatic habitats and classes of aquatic species. Bioaccumulation data from both laboratory and field studies indicate that alkylphenols have a low to moderate bioaccumulation potential. Fresh weight, nonlipid-based bioconcentration factors (BCFs) measured in the laboratory ranged from Ͻ1 to 1,250 for fish and 1 to 3,400 for invertebrates, whereas field bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) ranged from 6 to 487, with most values Ͻ100. Overall, these data provide an extensive and useful database to support environmental risk assessment activities.

The extensive database of acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data for alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and selected biodegradation intermediates was reviewed and summarized for freshwater and saltwater aquatic microorganisms, algae, invertebrates, and fish inhabiting cold and warm water bodies. Most acute toxicity studies that tested APE‐9 and APE‐10, the most common commercially relevant APEs, reported results that ranged from about 1,000 to 10,000 μg/L. Results from studies testing alkylphenols, intermediate by‐products of APE biodegradation, ranged from about 20 to 3,000 μg/L. Chronic values are a factor of about 2 to 10 lower. Although most studies used one of several common species and standard protocols to assay conventional endpoints, many nontraditional species and toxicological endpoints were also used. This toxicological database encompasses virtually all important types of aquatic habitats and classes of aquatic species. Bioaccumulation data from both laboratory and field studies indicate that alkylphenols have a low to moderate bioaccumulation potential. Fresh weight, nonlipid‐based bioconcentration factors (BCFs) measured in the laboratory ranged from < 1 to 1,250 for fish and 1 to 3,400 for invertebrates, whereas field bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) ranged from 6 to 487, with most values < 100. Overall, these data provide an extensive and useful database to support environmental risk assessment activities.

Nonylphenol (NP) and its lower ethoxylates, nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NPE1) and nonylphenol diethoxylate (NPE2), can be present in aquatic environments at total concentrations of more than 10 microg/L. They are metabolites of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPE) and have been found to be weakly estrogenic. To evaluate bioaccumulation potential and identify potential risks posed by these chemicals, concentrations of NP, NPE1, NPE2, and nonylphenol triethoxylate (NPE3) were determined in the tissues of fish inhabiting various waters in Michigan. This method involves extraction of samples using exhaustive steam distillation with concurrent liquid extraction. Concentrations of NP among all sites and species ranged from <3.3 to 29.1 ng/g, ww and varied little among sites. NPE1 was detectable in some samples but at concentrations less than the method detection limit (16.8 ng/g). Concentrations of NPE2 and NPE3 in all samples were less than their respective MDLs of 18.2 and 20.6 ng/g.