4 NP/NPE releases from the use of end products
5 Other groups of products
In this chapter products that contain NP/NPEs, but are considered as a less important or negligible source of emissions are presented.
5.1 Cosmetics and hygienic products
5.1.1 Restrictions
According to the EU directive (2003/53/EC), nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate may not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in concentrations equal or higher than 0.1% by mass for the following purposes: cosmetic products or other personal care products except for spermicides.
Resource Compendium Part IV: Releases from the Use of Products - Case Study on NPs and NPEs
5.1.2 Use
NPEs are thought to be used as a surfactant in some cosmetic formulations (ECB, 2002).
Products in which NPEs may be included are soaps, shampoos, hair dyes, make-up and other hygienic products (Andersson and Sörme, 2007).
The knowledge of the new legislation (EU directive 2003/53/EC) among the suppliers is still considered to be poor. Consumer products that include NP/NPEs may still be found on the market (Andersson and Sörme, 2007).
The Danish cosmetics and soap industry has removed all nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) from their products. There is also a Swiss Government ban on all NPEs and the UK Soap and Detergent Industry Association has recommended a voluntary phase out of all NPEs by its members (WWF, 1999).
In Sweden, approximately 10 kg NPEs is annually used in spermicides (Andersson and Sörme, 2007). Spermicides are hygienic products that are not comprised in the Directive 2003/53/EC.
5.1.3 Releases and release mechanisms
The use of cosmetic and hygienic products that contain NPEs may result in releases of NPEs to the wastewater system and further degrading to NP in the sludge in WWTP (ECB, 2002).
During the use of cleaning products a small amount of NPEs may be emitted to the air (ECB, 2002).
5.1.4 Release estimation techniques
NP/NPEs used in cosmetic products are not included in the Swedish products register. The Swedish Medical Products Agency supplies a register including cosmetic products.
Unfortunately the register does not include product information on substance or quantity level.
If products register data are not available, the formula given in chapter "Other databases and alternative release estimation techniques" can be used.
5.2 Photochemicals 5.2.1 Restrictions
Regulations in some EU countries require that commercial photo developers do not discharge products such as wetting agents to the sewer. The chemicals have to be collected and disposed of properly.
5.2.2 Use
NPEs are used as wetting agents in the development of photographic film. NPEs may be used in products intended both for home use by the amateur photographers and in some professional products. The concentration of NPEs in these products is 3-5% (ECB, 2002).
NP/NPEs may also be used in x-ray film.
Resource Compendium Part IV: Releases from the Use of Products - Case Study on NPs and NPEs
In Sweden the use of NPE in photo chemicals and film hardeners registered in the national products register was confidential for year 2006 (KemI, 2008). No data on uses in products registers for the other Nordic countries was available (SPIN, 2008).
5.2.3 Releases and release mechanisms
The use of photo chemicals that contain NPEs may result in releases of NPEs to wastewater systems. Commercial photo developers have to collect the chemicals containing e.g. NPEs without discharging to the sewer. Small amounts of chemicals resulting from e.g. carryover of solution to wash tanks may, however, get discharged directly to the sewer. Also, home hobbyists may contribute to discharge of NP/NPEs to the sewer (ECB, 2002).
Compared to other NP/NPEs sources, such as textiles and cleaning agents, emissions from photo chemicals may be considered as a minor/negligible source to wastewater (Månsson et al., 2008).
5.2.4 Release estimation techniques
No specific information on the releases of NPEs from photo chemicals was found in the literature.
5.3 Paper
5.3.1 Restrictions
According to the EU directive (2003/53/EC), nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate are prohibited to be placed on the market or used as substances or constituents of preparations at concentrations of 0.1 percent by weight or higher in manufacturing of pulp and paper.
5.3.2 Use
NPEs are used in the pulp industry in defoamers in the wet end of paper manufacture, where they help to ensure even dispersion of the defoaming agents. The NPE are also used in retention aids in order to help disperse the actual retention agents. According to the ECB (2002), the concentration of NPEs in these products may be up to approximately 1%.
There were no uses of NP/NPEs in paper and pulp industries registered in the national products registers in the Nordic countries during 2006 (SPIN, 2008).
5.3.3 Releases and release mechanisms
It is difficult to estimate if NPEs used in the pulp and paper industry eventually will end up in the paper or be emitted from the paper during the manufacture processes. According to Andersson and Sörme (2007) NPEs do not end up in paper to a large extent and thus paper products are not likely to constitute an important emissions source of NPEs to the environment.
5.3.4 Release estimation techniques
No specific information on the releases of NPEs from paper and pulp industry was found in the literature.
Resource Compendium Part IV: Releases from the Use of Products - Case Study on NPs and NPEs
5.4 Aircraft deicer 5.4.1 Restrictions
There are no restrictions in the EU.
5.4.2 Use
Alkylphenol ethoxylates are used as additives in aircraft deicers, e.g. in countries as the USA. Proprietary additives make up about 1–5% of deicer fluids (Erickson, 2003).
No information about the use of deicers that contain alkylphenol ethoxylates in the Nordic countries could be found.There was no registered data on uses of NPEs in aircraft deicers for any of the Nordic countries (KemI, 2008; SPIN, 2008).
5.4.3 Releases and release mechanisms
The NPE used in aircraft deicers may enter the environment by runoff from airports and end up in the surface water system. The largest input to the environment may probably occur after an intense aircraft deicing application event. Also, at airports, deicing may occur occur only a few times a year, and the amount of runoff, even if concentrated, is limited to these occasions during the cold periods of a year.
In a study performed by Corsi et al. (2003), NP/NPEs have been identified in three of nine different formulations of aircraft deicer and anti-icer fluids (ADAF). In the field study at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, USA, NPE (n = 1-15) and NP were detected in airport runoff. Samples were collected from two airport outfalls, from the receiving stream, and from an upstream reference site during intensive ADAF application events.
NPEs was measured at concentrations up to 1190 µg/l in airport outfall samples, up to 77 µg/l in samples from the receiving stream and less than 5.0 µg/l from the upstream reference.
The field data suggest that NP is generated through degradation of NPEs from airport runoff.
5.4.4 Release estimation techniques
No specific information on the releases of NPEs from aircraft deicer was found in the literature.
5.4.5 Impacts of releases
Biota living in streams near airports may be exposed to concentrations of nonylphenols that could be toxic, even if it is for a short period of time during the aircraft deicing application event (Erickson, 2003).
5.5 Leather 5.5.1 Restrictions
According to the EU directive (2003/53/EC), NP and NPEs are prohibited to be placed on the market or used as substances or constituents of preparations at concentrations of 0.1 percent by weight or higher in textiles and leather processing except for processing with no release into waste water and systems with special treatment where the process water is
pre-Resource Compendium Part IV: Releases from the Use of Products - Case Study on NPs and NPEs
treated to remove the organic fraction completely prior to biological waste water treatment (degreasing of sheepskin).
5.5.2 Use
NPE are thought to be used in the wet degreasing of hides in the leather industry (ECB, 2002). Information from the leather industry indicates that almost half of NPE usage attributed to them is exported for use outside the EU (EPA, 1999).
5.5.3 Releases and release mechanisms
No specific information on the releases of NPEs from the use of leather products was found in the literature.
5.5.4 Release estimation techniques
No specific information on release estimation technique of NPEs from the use of leather products was found in the literature.
5.6 Electronic components 5.6.1 Restrictions
There are no restrictions in the EU.
5.6.2 Use
In the electrical engineering sector, NPEs are reported as being used in fluxes in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, in dyes to identify cracks in printed circuit boards and as a component of chemical baths used in the etching of circuit boards. NPE may also be used in cleaning products used to clean electrical components (ECB, 2002).
5.6.3 Releases and release mechanisms
No specific information on the releases of NPEs from the use of electronic components was found in the literature.
5.6.4 Release estimation techniques
No specific information on release estimation technique of NPEs from the use of electronic components was found in the literature.
Resource Compendium Part IV: Releases from the Use of Products - Case Study on NPs and NPEs