Serious Discharge of 'Nonylphenol and Octylphenol' from Wastewater Emission Sites in Gyeonggi-do

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

It has been confirmed that the discharge of nonylphenol and octylphenol, aquatic ecosystem-disrupting substances, from wastewater-emitting businesses such as car washes in Gyeonggi Province is severe.

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment Research announced on the 3rd that, as a result of investigating the discharge status of nonylphenol and octylphenol, aquatic ecosystem-disrupting substances, at 211 wastewater-emitting businesses in the province requested by cities and counties from June to October last year, nonylphenol was detected in 83 cases (39.3%) and octylphenol in 91 cases (43.1%).

The detection criteria are above the quantification limit according to the water pollution process test standards, with the quantification limit for nonylphenol and octylphenol being 0.002 mg/L. Nonylphenol and octylphenol are alkylphenol compounds classified as endocrine-disrupting substances for both organisms and humans.

The detection rates of nonylphenol by industry for wastewater discharge facilities are ▲car wash 50.0%, ▲paper and pulp 50%, ▲textile and leather 60%, ▲plating 46.2%, etc. The detection rates of octylphenol are ▲car wash 67.6%, ▲paper and pulp 50%, ▲textile and leather 60%, ▲plating 61.5%, etc.

An official from the provincial Institute of Health and Environment Research stated, "Nonylphenol and octylphenol, endocrine-disrupting substances from wastewater-emitting businesses in the province, are detected regardless of the business type, scale, or region," adding, "After continuous monitoring conducted by the Ministry of Environment, active consideration should be given to designating and managing these substances as water pollutants."

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