Alkylphenol Ethoxylate Surfactants: A Critical Review of the Science, 1998 Environmental Conference Proceedings
Alkylphenol ethoxylates are the second largest group of nonionic surfactants used in the U.S. today. They are used as wetting agents, drainage aids, deinking additives, and industrial cleaners at some pulp and paper mills. Although they have been used successfully for more than 40 years, they have recently come under scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a variety of potential environmental and human health concerns. This review will address alkylphenol ethoxylates’ past and present uses, chemistry, physical properties, primary and ultimate biodegradation, aquatic and terrestrial toxicity, xenoestrogenic behavior, and related human health issues. The focus will be to present the known facts and attempt to separate real concerns from those most commonly presented in the news media.
Alkylphenol Ethoxylate Surfactants: A Critical Review of the Science, 1998 Environmental Conference
