Nonylphenol ethoxylates

Nonylphenol ethoxylates represent a group of non-ionic surfactants derived from nonylphenols. They differ in the number of hydrophilic ethoxy units of the polyethylene glycol side chain. Their most frequent representatives used in cosmetics are:

• nonoxinol-1 to nonoxinol-18
• Nonoxinol-35 (INCI)
• Nonoxinol-120 (INCI)

In cosmetics the different nonylphenol ethoxylates are used as surfactants, solubilizers, emollients and emulsifiers.

General use: Nonylphenol ethoxylates (nonoxinols) are most commonly used in cleaning products. In 2003, the use of nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenols was severely restricted in the EU due to their toxicity (Communications of the Federal Environment Agency).

Toxicity: Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEOs) are discharged into waste water in relevant concentrations. NPnEOs are degraded to the toxic 4-n-nonylphenols in wastewater treatment plants. There are apparently considerable seasonal variations in the composition and concentration of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEOs) in wastewater (Gao DW et al. 2017).

Particularly problematic is the high bioaccumulation capacity of the substances, their hormone activity (estrogenic effect) and their organotoxic effects (detection of heptatotoxic effects on aquatic organisms: Bernabò I et al. 2014).

The hormonal effects on fish have been known since the mid 80's of the last century. It can lead to malformations. Furthermore, the reproduction of the fish can be influenced. On the initiative of the UBA, these chemicals were characterized as substances of very high concern for the environment in the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH = acronym for "Regulation concerning the Registration , Evaluation , Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals"). Irrespective of their environmental concentration, these substances are considered to be of very high concern solely on the basis of their substance properties - in this case hormonal effects.

Antal B (2016) was able to detect nonylphenol ethoxylates in significant concentrations in textiles by means of real-time mass spectrometry. It is remarkable that residues of nonylphenol ethoxylates are detected mainly in textile products from low-wage countries.

1. Antal B (2016) Rapid detection of hazardous chemicals in textiles by direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Anal Bioanal Chem 408:5189-98.
2. Bernabò I et al (2014) Liver histology and ultrastructure of the Italian newt (Lissotriton italicus): normal structure and modifications after acute exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylates. Exp Toxicol Pathol 66:455-468.
3. Gao DW et al (2017) Seasonal changes and spatial distributions of nonylphenol ethoxylates in sewage treatment plant with BAF process. Environ Technol 38:406-412.
4. Nonylphenol ethoxylates: Communications of the Federal Environment Agency.