Indoor air pollution by alkylphenols in Tokyo

Abstract

Alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) are widely used surfactants in both industrial and domestic detergents. When these detergents are released into the environment, APE are biodegraded to the smaller chain ethoxylates and alkylphenols (APs). There are many reports about APs in aquatic environments because of their estrogenic effect on wildlife. In building materials, APs are used as antioxidant for polymer resins such as wall or floor coverings. Although APs has a lower vapor pressure, these agents are released into indoor air from the surface of polymer resins. This study surveyed concentrations of airborne AP in indoor air and outdoor air in Tokyo. In addition, to identify APs emission sources in a newly built house, migration tests of APs from interior surfaces to solid extraction disks were performed.