Silent Spring

Endocrine Disruptors: Nonylphenol

Nonylphenol was discovered by accident by a group of research scientists who were doing routine work on breast cancer cells. They discovered that ‘something unknown’ was acting like estrogen and contaminating their experiment. After weeks of rigorous scientific investigation they finally isolated the contaminant. They discovered that the chemical nonylphenol was responsible. They found that nonylphenol was leaching from the plastics that they were using in their experiments and stimulating the estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells causing them to multiply fast… even though no estrogen had been added to the cultures.

What is Nonylphenol?
Nonylphenol is a widely used synthetic chemical that isnused widely industry. They are used as surfactants due to their smooth flowing characteristics and their ability to bind fats and lipids. These properties make them ideal for use in paints, industrial detergents, lubricating oils abd agrochemicals, as well as additives to many kinds of plastics.
But nonylphenol was only one of a whole family of synthetic chemicals belonging to a group of related compounds called akylphenols. Other chemicals within this group have subsequently been tested and have also been found to be weakly estrogenic.

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Silent Spring