Nonylphenols, representative emerging contaminants, originate from degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates, and exhibits strong endocrine disruptive properties, including feminization of aquatic organisms, decrease in male fertility and the survival of juveniles at concentrations as low as 8.2 �g/L. The existing literature suggests that nonylphenols occurs in much higher concentrations in different environmental matrices. The values for NP in surface waters approach 40 �g/L, but concentrations can reach up to 60,000 �g/kg in sediments and often more than 500,000 �g/kg in the biosolids from treatment plants. Interestingly, it appears that the existing regulations that prevent use of nonylphehols and their precursors in some countries have a positive effect on the geographical distribution of this pollutant. These findings suggest that proper proactive management strategies may represent a possible solution to this major environmental problem.

Environmental occurrences of nonylphenols

246th National Meeting (2013)

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