Occurrence of 4-Nonylphenol in rain and snow

The present technical note reports on the endocrine disruptor 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) in rain and snow. In July 2001, November 2001 and January 2002, rain and snow sampling was conducted at different urban, suburban and rural areas in Germany and Belgium. The mean concentration of 4-NP in rain water and roof run off was 0.253 μg dm−3 (n=8) with a higher mean concentration in suburban areas at 0.534 μg dm−3 and considerable lower mean concentrations in rural and urban areas at 0.099 and 0.062 μg dm−3, respectively. The mean concentration of 4-NP at 0.099 μg dm−3 (n=3) was significantly lower in summer rain than in winter rain at 0.346 μg dm−3. In snow samples, 4-NP was detected with a mean value of 0.242 μg dm−3 (n=8). A higher mean value of 4-NP in snow at 0.478 μg dm−3 (n=4) was found at urban sites whereas in snow from suburban areas the mean concentration of 4-NP at 0.030 μg dm−3 (n=2) was much lower. 4-NP was never detected above its determination limit in snow samples from rural areas.