Nonylphenol (NP)

Nonylphenol (NP) is a substance that has been identified as an environmental hormone and a persistent organic pollutant. NP is typically used as an industrial surfactant (cleaning agent) and also as an additive in resin products and lubricants, insecticide, and antioxidant.

Due to its structural similarity to estrogen, NP has been labeled as an endocrine disrupter. NP can affect the hormonal systems of numerous organisms. It has also been shown that NP exhibits neurotoxicity in certain animals. Due to these alarming implications of NP, many national governments have been increasing control and containment of the substance.

NP typically accumulates in sewage sludge and river sediment and leaches into nearby underground water or soil. NP does not biodegrade easily, often persisting in the environment for long periods of time.

Sources:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2008.01.004

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141377

https://www.fda.gov.tw/tc/sitecontent.aspx?sid=3824