Identification and quantitation of nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenolin fish tissues from Michigan

Nonylphenol (NP) and its lower ethoxylates, nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NPE 1) and nonylphenol diethoxylate (NPE2), can be present in aquatic environme nts at total concentrations of more than 10 mug/L. They are metabolites of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPE) and have been found to be weakly estrogen ic. To evaluate bioaccumulation potential and identify potential risks pose d by these chemicals, concentrations of NP, NPE1, NPE2, and nonylphenol tri ethoxylate (NPE3) were determined in the tissues of fish inhabiting various waters in Michigan. This method involves extraction of samples using exhau stive steam distillation with concurrent liquid extraction. Concentrations of NP among all sites and species ranged from <3.3 to 29.1 ng/g, ww and var ied little among sites. NPE1 was detectable in some samples but at concentr ations less than the method detection limit (16.8 ng/g). Concentrations of NPE2 and NPE3 in all samples were less than their respective MDLs of 18.2 a nd 20.6 ng/g.