1st Edition

Environmental and Human Safety of Major Surfactants Alcohol Ethoxylates and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates

By Sylvia S. Talmage Copyright 1994

    The book summarizes and reviews the environmental and human safety of two classes of nonionic surfactants-alcohol ethoxylates (AE) and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE). This unique resource contains critical data from published sources as well as from unpublished studies submitted by Soap and Detergent Association member companies. It reviews information on product chemistry and analysis, biodegradation, environmental levels (including fate and distribution), aquatic toxicity, and human safety. Recently developed analytical techniques for the extraction, separation, detection, and measurement of nonionic surfactants and their metabolites in environmental samples are described.
    Results of biodegradation studies performed with a variety of test systems are tabulated, as are results of field studies at wastewater treatment plants. Reported comparisons of environmental levels with results of acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests are provided. The information on the toxicity and irritation potential of AE and APE surfactants includes data from in vitro, mammalian, and human studies.

    Introduction
    Background
    Chemistry and Manufacture
    Product CAS Identification
    References
    Environmental Levels
    Analytical Methods
    Water Quality Standards
    Nonionic Surfactants in Natural Bodies of Water
    References
    Biodegradation
    Laboratory Investigations
    Field Studies
    Effect of Chemical Structure
    Effect of Environmental Variables
    Metabolic Pathways of Biodegradation
    References
    Environmental Toxicology
    Aquatic Toxicity
    Effects on Microorganisms
    Effects on Higher Plants
    Mode of Action
    References
    Human Safety
    Animal Studies
    Human Studies
    References
    Appendix
    References

    Biography

    Sylvia. S. Talmage (Author)