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Aquatic Life Criteria for Nonylphenol
Draft Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria - Nonylphenol
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Fact Sheet; January 2004
EPA has 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.
- Background
- What are the draft nonylphenol criteria concentrations?
- How do I get a copy of the new draft nonylphenol document?
Background
Nonylphenol is an organic chemical produced in large quantities in the United States. It is soluble in water and moderately resistant to natural degradation in water. Because of its chemical properties and widespread use a chemical intermediate, concerns have been raised over the risks it poses to both freshwater and saltwater organisms. The draft ambient water quality criteria document for nonylphenol contains draft ambient water quality criteria designed to protect aquatic organisms and their uses. Once final, 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 new draft nonylphenol water quality criteria are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act.
What are the draft nonylphenol criteria concentrations?
Freshwater Aquatic Life:
Except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, freshwater aquatic life and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the one-hour average concentration of nonylphenol does not exceed 27.9 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (acute criterion) and if the four-day average concentration of nonylphenol does not exceed 5.9 µg/l more than once every three years on the average (chronic criterion).
Saltwater Aquatic Life:
Except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, saltwater aquatic life and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the one-hour average concentration of nonylphenol does not exceed 6.7 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (acute criterion) and if the four-day average concentration of nonylphenol does not exceed 1.4 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (chronic criterion).
How do I get a copy of the draft nonylphenol document?
You can get copies of Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Nonylphenol - Draft (PDF) (78 pp., 816 K, About PDF) (EPA-822-R-03-029) from EPA's Water Resource Center by calling (202) 566-1729. You can request a copy by sending an e-mail to center.water-resource@epa.gov or by conventional mail to: EPA Water Resource Center, 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460.