Sodium laureth sulfate
| Sodium laureth sulfate | |
|---|---|
| File:Sodium laureth sulfate structure.png | |
| Other names Sodium lauryl ether sulfate; sodium laureth sulphate; sodium lauryl ether sulphate | |
| style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Identifiers | |
| Abbreviations | SLES |
| CAS number | 9004-82-4 
|
| style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Properties | |
| Molecular formula | CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na C11+nH23+4nNaO4+nS |
| Molar mass | around 420 g/mol (274.35 + 44.05n) g mol−1 |
 (what is this?) (verify)Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.[1]
SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects.[2] Some products containing SLES have been found to contain low levels of the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, with the recommendation from the FDA that these levels be monitored.[3]
Contents
Chemical structure
Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na. Sometimes the number represented by n is specified in the name, for example laureth-2 sulfate. The commercial product is heterogeneous in the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. It is common for commercial products for n= 3. SLES is prepared by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to an half ester of sulfuric acid, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt.[1] The related surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SLS) is produced similarly, but without the ethoxylation step. SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.[1]
Application
SLES, SLS and ALS are surfactants that are used in many cosmetic products for their cleansing and emulsifying properties. They behave similarly to soap.
Toxicology
Irritation
Although SLES is considered safe at the concentrations used in cosmetic products, it is an irritant similar to other detergents, with the irritation increasing with concentration.[2] SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects.[2] The related surfactant SLS is a known irritant,[4][5] and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.[6][7]
Carcinogenicity
Toxicology research by the OSHA, NTP, and IARC supports the conclusions of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) and the American Cancer Society that SLES is not a carcinogen.[8] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies 1,4-dioxane to be a probable human carcinogen (having observed an increased incidence of cancer in controlled animal studies, but not in epidemiological studies of workers using the compound), and a known irritant (with a no-observed-adverse-effects level of 400 milligrams per cubic meter) at concentrations significantly higher than those found in commercial products.[9] Under Proposition 65, 1,4-dioxane is classified in the U.S. state of California to cause cancer.[10][11]
1,4-Dioxane contaminant
Some products containing SLES have been found to contain low levels of the known carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, with the recommendation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that these levels be monitored.[3] The FDA encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, though it is not required by federal law.[12]
See also
References
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- Description and health effects of sodium laureth sulfate by Children's Health Environmental Coalition
- Record in the Household Products Database of NLMcs:Laurethsulfát sodný
de:Natriumdodecylpoly(oxyethylen)sulfat fr:Laureth sulfate de sodium nl:Natriumlaurylethersulfaat ja:ラウレス硫酸ナトリウム pt:Lauriléter sulfato de sódio ur:Sodium laureth sulfate
zh:十二烷基聚氧乙醚硫酸钠- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kurt Kosswig,"Surfactants" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, 2005, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_747
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Final report on the safety assessment of sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate". Journal of the American College of Toxicology. 2 (5): 1–34. 1983. doi:10.3109/10915818309140713.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Black RE, Hurley FJ, Havery DC (2001). "Occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic raw materials and finished cosmetic products". Journal of AOAC International. 84 (3): 666–70. PMID 11417628.
- ↑ Agner T (1991). "Susceptibility of atopic dermatitis patients to irritant dermatitis caused by sodium lauryl sulphate". Acta Dermato-venereologica. 71 (4): 296–300. PMID 1681644.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
- ↑ Magnusson B, Gilje O (1973). "Allergic contact dermatitis from a dish-washing liquid containing lauryl ether sulphate". Acta Dermato-venereologica. 53 (2): 136–40. PMID 4120956.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
- ↑ Rumor: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. 13, October 2000. Consumer Information
- ↑ 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide). Hazard Summary. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000. Fact Sheet
- ↑ "1,4-Dioxane cancer 123-91-1 January 1, 1988" (PDF). Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
- ↑ "California Files Prop 65 Lawsuit Against Whole Foods, Avalon". Bloomberg.
- ↑ FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane
