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Aquatic Life Criteria for Nonylphenol
EPA has released final aquatic life ambient water quality criteria for nonylphenol. Nonylphenol is an organic chemical produced in large quantities in the United States. It is toxic to aquatic life, causing reproductive effects in aquatic organisms. Nonylphenol is moderately soluble and resistant to natural degradation in water. It is used as a chemical intermediate and is often found in wastewater treatment plant effluent as a breakdown product from surfactants and detergents.
The final criteria document for nonylphenol contains criteria designed to protect aquatic organisms and their uses. These criteria are guidance for states and tribes and, in themselves, have no binding legal effect. However, they may form the basis for state water quality standards and become enforceable through NPDES permits or other environmental programs.
- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice (February 23, 2006)
- Criteria Document (PDF) (96 pp., 290 K, About PDF)
- Find background materials using Regulations.gov (EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0080)
- Find out about other EPA activities related to Nonylphenol
Archive
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
In 2004, EPA released and requested scientific views on a draft ambient water quality criteria document for nonylphenol. We developed draft acute and chronic criteria recommendations for nonylphenol designed to protect aquatic life in both freshwater and saltwater.
- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice (January 5, 2004)
- Criteria Document (PDF) (78 pp., 816 K, About PDF)