Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) are common surfactants used in garments, home textiles and footwear. This substance, which is used by the enterprises and left as waste after the final washing of the finished products, disintegrates the force in nature and causes serious damage to the ecosystems in the water. In addition, it harms human hormones and other internal secretions and is dangerous for human health. A number of organizations have therefore initiated a number of studies on the gradual limitation of the use of alkylphenol ethoxylate (APEO) in textile production. For this purpose, lists which are used in production and which indicate the limit values ​​should be prepared gradually.

The most important alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) for the textile industry are nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO) and octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEO) depending on their detergent properties. Approximately 90 of the APEOs produced are in fact nonylphenol ethoxylates.

Alkylphenols (AP) such as nonylphenol (NP) or octylphenol (OP) are degradation products of APEOs. Alkylphenols (AP) are formed during wastewater treatment and in the environment.

APs and APEOs reach the environment with wastewater in different industries including the textile sector. Since these substances are highly resistant in nature, they do not easily degrade in sewage treatment. Therefore, they mix into the surface waters between the factory wastewaters.

The most important toxicological feature of APs is their harm to hormones. When APEOs break down, alkylphenols are formed which are more toxic than APEOs. APs are particularly toxic to aquatic organisms. It damages the fertility of aquatic organisms and disrupts ecosystems. In humans, it can harm even unborn children.

Therefore, tests and analyzes are conducted in authorized laboratories to determine the amounts of alkylphenols (AP) and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) in textile products. In terms of human health and environmental conditions, the risk of these substances is not only the degree of poisoning. The degree of exposure to these substances is also important.