Decomposition of p-nonylphenols in water and elimination of their estrogen activities by 60Co γ-ray irradiation

Concentration of p-nonylphenols (NPs) in water at 1 μmol dm−3 was decreased exponentially with absorbed dose when NPs were irradiated by 60Co γ-rays. Two products having molecular weight of 236, presumably OH adducts of NPs, were detected by LC-MS analyses. The elimination of estrogen activity of aqueous NPs solution including such irradiation products at 5000 Gy (J kg−1) was confirmed by the yeast two-hybrid assay. These results should expand the application of ionizing radiation to the treatment of NPs.