Sodium laureth sulfate

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Not to be confused with Sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sodium laureth sulfate
Other names Sodium lauryl ether sulfate; sodium laureth sulphate; sodium lauryl ether sulphate
Identifiers
Abbreviations SLES
CAS number [9004-82-4]
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
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.). It is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.[1]

Contents

[edit] 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, both in the length of the alkyl chain (12 being the mode of the number of carbon atoms), and in the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. It is common for commercial products to have n=3. SLES can be derived from ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol which is also used in the production of the related surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SLS). SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.[2]

[edit] Application

SLES, SLS and ALS are surfactants, which are used in many cosmetic products for its cleansing and emulsifying properties.

[edit] Safety

SLES has been shown to increase the frequency of canker sores among people with frequent recurring sores. People with recurrent canker sores are thus recommended to avoid use of toothpastes containing sodium laureth sulfate.[3] While SLS is a known irritant,[4][5] evidence and research suggest that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.[6][7]

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] However, SLES and SLS, and products containing them, have been found to contain very low levels of the known carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.[9] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers 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.[10] While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law.[11]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate.htm
  2. ^ Sodium Laureth Sulfate POE(2). Chemical Land 21, Seoul, Korea. Product Identification
  3. ^ [1] Herlofson BB, Barkvoll P, "The effect of two toothpaste detergents on the frequency of recurrent aphthous ulcers.", Acta Odontol Scand., Vol. 54 No. 3, pp.150-3, Jun (1996).
  4. ^ Agner T. Susceptibility of atopic dermatitis patients to irritant dermatitis caused by sodium lauryl sulphate. Acta Derm Venereol. 1991;71(4):296-300. Abstract
  5. ^ A. Nassif, S. C. Chan, F. J. Storrs and J. M. Hanifin. Abstract: Abnormal skin irritancy in atopic dermatitis and in atopy without dermatitis. Arch Dermatol. November 1994;130(11):1402. Abstract
  6. ^ Magnusson B, Gilje O. Allergic contact dermatitis from a dish-washing liquid containing lauryl ether sulphate. Acta Derm Venereol. 1973;53(2):136-40. Abstract
  7. ^ Van Haute N, Dooms-Goossens A. Shampoo dermatitis due to cocobetaine and sodium lauryl ether sulphate. Contact Dermatitis. 1983 Mar;9(2):169. Abstract
  8. ^ Rumor: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. 13, October 2000. Consumer Information
  9. ^ Roderick E. Black, Fred J. Hurley, Donald C. Havery. Occurrence of 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetic Raw Materials and Finished Cosmetic Products. Journal of AOAC International.2001 May;84(3):666-670. Abstract
  10. ^ 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide). Hazard Summary. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000. Fact Sheet
  11. ^ FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate"
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