Nonylphenol ethoxylate
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Nonylphenol ethoxylate is a chemical substance that has been debated for a long time in Sweden. The large presence of the substance was mainly as detergent in washing-powder. Through various measures, the use of the substance has gradually been phased out in Sweden. A voluntary goal was that the use would decrease by 90%. The Swedish textile industry phased the detergent out early by using nonylphenol ethoxylate, first as a detergent in the washing-powder and later as a dispersant in particularly water-based paints.
In recent years the debate of this topic rose again, enforced by the media. This because, among other things, that the Society for Nature Conservation was reporting on the Chemicals in textiles of imported towels and T-shirts. The use of nonylphenol ethoxylates in textile production as a surfactant but also as a dispersing agent in dyeing can cause residues of the substance to remain in the finished product. The major portion of the material will be washed out during the textile processes, depending on how well the material had been washed before they were ready to be produced.
Nonylphenol ethoxylates usually ends up in wastewater and the environment, broken down by bacteria into nonylphenol. Nonylphenol is persistent and toxic to aquatic organisms and have hormonal effects.
The discovery of high levels of nonylphenol ethoxylates in textiles made of SSNC is assumed to be the cause of the amount of NP found in sewage sludge from Stockholm, although nonylphenol was banned in the early 90's. Stockholm Water Company estimates, based on the results of surveys, that the import of textiles from the EU contributes to 9 tons of nonylphenol ethoxylate that comes to the treatment plants in Stockholm every year.
Contents
Classification of NP (nonylphenol ethoxylate)
- R22 (harmful if swallowed)
- R34 (corrosive)
- R50-53 (very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause harmful long-term effects in the environment)
Legislation
The use of nonylphenol ethoxylates in textile finishing is in principle prohibited within the EU. There are exceptions if used in closed systems where sewage and waste water is disposed of correctly. However, there is no direct ban on importing textiles containing nonylphenol or nonylphenol ethoxylates. In other countries such as China there is a large percentage of nonylphenol ethoxylates used in the textile industry.
Under the so-called Limitations Directive, which is implemented in Swedish law by Chemical Regulations (Kemikalieinspektionen) (KIFS 1998:8), the NP and NPE should not be sold or used in concentrations exceeding 0.1 percent for certain purposes, including cleaning of textile products.
The new EU chemicals legislation REACH requires all chemicals imported to the EU to be notified to the Agency on content. This requirements are for goods exceeds 0.1 percent by weight or if the quantity of the substance exceeds 1 tonne per producer / importer, and if not previously registered for the same usage. Nature Conservation Society (Naturskyddsföreningen) believes that these values are too low to prevent the continued use of environmentally hazardous substances such as nonylphenol ethoxylates in textiles.
The trade association Textile Importers have in their chemical restriction list recommended its member companies to have limits on 250mg/kg nonylphenol ethoxylate. Nature Conservation Society says the value is too high and that it will not provide any reduction in current emissions of nonylphenol.
Sources
- Handdukar med ett smutsigt förflutet
- T-shirts med ett smutsigt förflutet
- Kemikalieinspektionens informationssida om REACH
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