Analytical chemistry and metrological issues related to nonylphenols in environmental health

In recent decades, the development of environmental risks and their repercussions on health has led to environmental health being a field of scientific research in which interdisciplinarity is intrinsic.This article on nonylphenols (NP) shows how exchanges and knowledge transfer involving chemists, biologists, pharmacists and physicians underscore the need to further the development of analytical methodologies. We spell out the difficulties encountered when selecting a reference material for the analysis of NP (i.e. multiplicity of isomers, and variability in the composition of batches for the same CAS Registry Number). As a result, we propose 353NP (CAS 186825-36-5) as the reference material (because of its high proportion in the industrial mixture and its pronounced estrogenic power).

► Review of naming of nonylphenols (NP) and standards applied in NP determinations.
► 353NP as a reference material in analysis of environmental and drinking waters.
► Argued choice of 353NP as the standard in studies for evaluating public health risk.