An alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE or APEO) is an alkylphenol which has reacted with ethylene oxide. Most APE/APEO surfactants are made from a branched-chain nonylphenol or octylphenol.

Certain cities, counties, and states with environmentally preferable purchasing programs restrict the use of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). Examples include the City of Seattle, WA; Sarasota County, FL; the State of Minnesota; and the U.S. Navy.

Some alkylphenol alkoxylates that have an added sulfate, amide, or other functional group are not technically APEs but may degrade in the environment to APEs that could result in persistent degradation products that are toxic to aquatic life.

For example, some metabolites of nonylphenol ethoxylate are of high aquatic toxicity and less than ultimate biodegradability.

References:

• ToxEcology - Environmental Consulting Ltd. "Alternatives to Nonylphenol Ethoxylates: Review of Toxicity, Biodegradation, and Technical-Economic Aspects" Published for Environment Canada. 28 May 2002.
• Ying et.al. "Environmental fate of alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates - a review" Environment International. 28. p215 226. 2002.

It would be contrary to the intent of CleanGredients if the presence of a particular component was unknown to a formulator and subsequently prevented them from successfully meeting environmental preferable product specifications.

A response is required on the Supplier Input Form.

Suppliers are required to note if the ingredient or any of its components contain chemicals that are alkylphenol ethoxylates. Other alkyl phenol derivatives are not specified here because they are not specified in the purchasing programs. APEs are identified based on their chemical structure.