What is 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 ambient water quality 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. These nonylphenol ambient water quality criteria are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA published draft criteria for nonylphenol on January 5, 2004 at 69 FR 340 and solicited scienti
