Nonoxynols

Nonylphenol ethoxylates are a group of non-ionic surfactants which are derived from the nonylphenols and differ in the number of the hydrophilic ethoxy units of the polyethylene glycol side chain.

Examples

• Nonoxynol 9
• Nonoxynol 40

Use

They are most often used in detergents. Because of the dangers, the industry has agreed in a voluntary agreement in 1986 to stop using this substance within the EU in detergents and cleaning agents for your personal use. In 1992, the renunciation of industrial cleaning agent has been extended. In 2003, the use of nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol in the EU has been very limited.

Toxicity

In 1984 it was discovered that nonylphenol ethoxylates are degraded in sewage treatment plants to 4-n- nonylphenol, which are toxic to many organisms and get significant amounts of it into the water. In particular, the waters of endocrine-disrupting ( estrogenic ) effect on aquatic organisms is problematic. The bio-accumulability is very high ( > 1000).

In a study of the environmental organization Greenpeace residues NPE in 52 of 78 textile products (two thirds) from transactions in 18 countries demonstrated. It is consistently branded products manufactured in low-wage countries. For consumers, the articles examined have no immediate harmful impact.