A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: octylphenols
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25 Octylphenols
� Very limited data is available on octylphenol,
but the effects are probably similar to nonylphenols.
� Octylphenol is known to have similar use as
nonylphenols but it is less used.
� 4-tert-octylphenol may form in waste water
via degradation of some alkylphenols.
� Further screening is necessary.
Production and use
In Norway, no use is known today, but ethoxylates
may be present in some imported products.
Imports and use are regulated (mainly banned)
since 2002, and there is a national target for
phasing out by 2005. See fact sheet 24.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Octylphenols are discharged to waste water or
may be formed as a degradation product of
alkylphenols in waste water; the main sources
are garages, car-wash installations etc. and
households, as for nonylphenols. Octylphenols -
Ethoxylates are found in sludge from municipal
waste water treatment plants. There are no data
on environmental distribution. See fact sheet 24.
Need for further screening and monitoring
Octylphenols should be screened together with
nonylphenols, at the same localities.
Analysis
The analysis of octylphenols is often part of
multi phenols packages offered by several laboratories.
Methods
The methods are based on direct extraction with
an organic solvent (sediment and biota) or solid
phase extraction (SPE), clean-up with SPE and
separation and quantification with either GCor
LC-based methods: GC/MS, LC/MS or
LC/UV.
Synergy with other analyses
Sample extraction and clean-up may be co-ordinated
with the analysis of other phenols as
nonylphenol or pentachlorophenol.
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Cas no.: 4-tert-octylphenol: 140-66-9
octylphenol: 67554-50-1
p-octylphenol: 1806-26-4
1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylphenol: 27193-28-8
Synonyms: di-iso-butylphenol, para-octylphenol, OP,
1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-4-butylphenol
Properties:
Toxic effects: 4-tert-octylphenol is a skin and eye irritant.
Octylphenols are on the EU list of endocrine disruptors.
Log Kow: 5,28 (4-tert-octylphenol)
Persistence: Octylphenols are inherently biodegradable
with > 60 % (35 days) in mod. Sturm-test (OECD
301B) (CIRCA). Photodegradation in air is 9 hours.
Octylphenols bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
Water solubility: 5 mg/l at 25° C (4,821 mg/l for 4-tert)
Molecular formula: C 14 H 22 O
Metabolites: See nonyphenols, fact sheet 24
References
� Miljøstatus: Nonyl- og oktylfenoler.
� CIRCA, Royal Haskoning Fact sheets on production,
use and release of priority substances in
the WFD, Octylphenol, Final version 31
January 2001.
� HSDB: 4-tert-octylphenol 140-66-9 and
octylphenol 67554-50-1.
� European Commission 1999; Study on the
prioritisation of substances dangerous to the
aquatic environment. (98/88/3040/DEB/E1).
� Environmental Review no. 15, 2004, EU-List
of Undesirable Substances 2004
� Paulsrud, Bjarne; Nedland, Kjell Terje; Wien,
Asgeir: Organiske miljøgifter i norsk avløpsslam.
SFT-rapport 97:25, TA-1472.
� Nesgård, Bjørg Synnøve; Røstad, Astrid;
Lima-Charles, Michael: Kilder til organiske
miljøgifter i kommunalt avløpsvann - bidrag fra
småindustri. SFT-rapport 98:22.
� Lima-Charles, Michael; Nesgård, Bjørg
Synnøve: Kilder til organiske miljøgifter i kommunalt
avløpsvann: bidrag fra husholdninger.
SFT-rapport 98:23, TA-1590.