Alkylphenols


 * Alkylphenols** are industrial chemicals used in the production of detergents and other cleaning produces, and as antioxidants in products made from plastics and rubber. They can also be found in personal care products, esp. hair products, and as an active component in many spermicides. In alkylphenols and its breakdown products were found in all samples of house air and 80% of house dust samples. Substantial concentrations of this chemical have also been found in wastewater associated with domestic sewers and municipal landfills. Alkylphenols have been shown to mimic the actions of estradiol, mediating their effects through the cellular estrogen receptor. They also bind to the newly described cell membrane ER and mimic cellular signaling responses usually controlled by estradiol.