APEOs (Alkylphenol Ethoxylates) have received a lot of focus from the media since the beginning the ZDHC project. APEOs can be used in chemical formulations such as detergents, cleaning agents, wetting agents, printing pastes, dying agents, adhesives and scouring agents. The most common APEOs used in the fashion and leather industry are NPEs (Nonylphenol Ethoxylates), a non-ionic surfactant. APEOs are harmful to aquatic life. When they degrade, APEOs have been shown to form the substances APs (Alkylphenols). APs have been shown to have endocrine disruptive properties: they might mimic estrogen and are strongly suspected of causing endocrine disruption to animals and humans.