Sodium laureth sulfate: Difference between revisions
1,4-dioxane is found in SLES; SLES in not used in toothpaste |
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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.<ref name="Final Report"/> SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects.<ref name="Final Report"/> The related surfactant SLS is a [[atopic dermatitis|known irritant]],<ref name="Agner_T">{{cite journal |author=Agner T |title=Susceptibility of atopic dermatitis patients to irritant dermatitis caused by sodium lauryl sulphate |journal=Acta Dermato-venereologica |volume=71 |issue=4 |pages=296–300 |year=1991 |pmid=1681644}}</ref><ref name="A._Nassif_1994">{{cite journal |author=Nassif A, Chan SC, Storrs FJ, Hanifin JM |title=Abnormal skin irritancy in atopic dermatitis and in atopy without dermatitis |journal=Archives of Dermatology |volume=130 |issue=11 |pages=1402–7 |year=1994 |month=November |pmid=7979441 |doi=10.1001/archderm.130.11.1402}}</ref> and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.<ref name="Allergic_Contact_Dermatitis">{{cite journal |author=Magnusson B, Gilje O |title=Allergic contact dermatitis from a dish-washing liquid containing lauryl ether sulphate |journal=Acta Dermato-venereologica |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=136–40 |year=1973 |pmid=4120956}}</ref><ref name="Shampoo_Dermatitis">{{cite journal |author=Van Haute N, Dooms-Goossens A |title=Shampoo dermatitis due to cocobetaine and sodium lauryl ether sulphate |journal=Contact Dermatitis |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=169 |year=1983 |month=March |pmid=6851541 |doi=10.1111/j.1600-0536.1983.tb04348.x}}</ref> |
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.<ref name="Final Report"/> SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects.<ref name="Final Report"/> The related surfactant SLS is a [[atopic dermatitis|known irritant]],<ref name="Agner_T">{{cite journal |author=Agner T |title=Susceptibility of atopic dermatitis patients to irritant dermatitis caused by sodium lauryl sulphate |journal=Acta Dermato-venereologica |volume=71 |issue=4 |pages=296–300 |year=1991 |pmid=1681644}}</ref><ref name="A._Nassif_1994">{{cite journal |author=Nassif A, Chan SC, Storrs FJ, Hanifin JM |title=Abnormal skin irritancy in atopic dermatitis and in atopy without dermatitis |journal=Archives of Dermatology |volume=130 |issue=11 |pages=1402–7 |year=1994 |month=November |pmid=7979441 |doi=10.1001/archderm.130.11.1402}}</ref> and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.<ref name="Allergic_Contact_Dermatitis">{{cite journal |author=Magnusson B, Gilje O |title=Allergic contact dermatitis from a dish-washing liquid containing lauryl ether sulphate |journal=Acta Dermato-venereologica |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=136–40 |year=1973 |pmid=4120956}}</ref><ref name="Shampoo_Dermatitis">{{cite journal |author=Van Haute N, Dooms-Goossens A |title=Shampoo dermatitis due to cocobetaine and sodium lauryl ether sulphate |journal=Contact Dermatitis |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=169 |year=1983 |month=March |pmid=6851541 |doi=10.1111/j.1600-0536.1983.tb04348.x}}</ref> |
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Toxicology research by the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]], [[National Toxicology Program|NTP]], and [[International Agency for Research on Cancer|IARC]] supports the conclusions of the [[Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association]] (CTFA) and the [[American Cancer Society]] that SLES is not a carcinogen.<ref name="CTFA">Rumor: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. ''The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association.'' 13, October 2000. [http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/Template.cfm?Section=Internet_Rumors&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=867 Consumer Information]</ref> Some products containing SLES have been found to contain very low levels of the known carcinogen [[1,4-Dioxane]], with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.<ref name="Occurrence_Dioxane">{{cite journal |author=Black RE, Hurley FJ, Havery DC |title=Occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic raw materials and finished cosmetic products |journal=Journal of AOAC International |volume=84 |issue=3 |pages=666–70 |year=2001 |pmid=11417628}}</ref> 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.<ref name="U.S.EPA_Dioxane">1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide). Hazard Summary. ''U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.'' Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000. [http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/dioxane.html Fact Sheet]</ref> While the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law.<ref name="FDA_Dioxane">FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. [http://web.archive.org/web/20080115201046/www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-hdb3.html Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane]</ref> |
Toxicology research by the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]], [[National Toxicology Program|NTP]], and [[International Agency for Research on Cancer|IARC]] supports the conclusions of the [[Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association]] (CTFA) and the [[American Cancer Society]] that SLES is not a carcinogen.<ref name="CTFA">Rumor: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. ''The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association.'' 13, October 2000. [http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/Template.cfm?Section=Internet_Rumors&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=867 Consumer Information]</ref>{{VC}} Some products containing SLES have been found to contain very low levels of the known carcinogen [[1,4-Dioxane]], with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.<ref name="Occurrence_Dioxane">{{cite journal |author=Black RE, Hurley FJ, Havery DC |title=Occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic raw materials and finished cosmetic products |journal=Journal of AOAC International |volume=84 |issue=3 |pages=666–70 |year=2001 |pmid=11417628}}</ref> 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.<ref name="U.S.EPA_Dioxane">1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide). Hazard Summary. ''U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.'' Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000. [http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/dioxane.html Fact Sheet]</ref> While the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law.<ref name="FDA_Dioxane">FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. [http://web.archive.org/web/20080115201046/www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-hdb3.html Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane]</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 17:39, 8 May 2010
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Names | |
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Other names
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate; sodium laureth sulphate; sodium lauryl ether sulphate
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Identifiers | |
Abbreviations | SLES |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.036.281 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na C11+nH23+4nNaO4+nS | |
Molar mass | around 420 g/mol (274.35 + 44.05n) g mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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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]
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 very low levels of the known carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane, with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.[3] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law.[4]
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 is synthesized by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to an organosulfate intermediate, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt.[2] 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.[5]
Application
SLES, SLS and ALS are surfactants, which are used in many cosmetic products for their cleansing and emulsifying properties.
Safety
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,[6][7] and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.[8][9]
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.[10][unreliable source?] Some products containing SLES have been found to contain very low levels of the known carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane, with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.[3] 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.[11] While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, it is not required by federal law.[4]
See also
References
- ^ What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?, wisegeek.com
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ a b 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.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane
- ^ Sodium Laureth Sulfate POE(2). Chemical Land 21, Seoul, Korea. Product Identification
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nassif A, Chan SC, Storrs FJ, Hanifin JM (1994). "Abnormal skin irritancy in atopic dermatitis and in atopy without dermatitis". Archives of Dermatology. 130 (11): 1402–7. doi:10.1001/archderm.130.11.1402. PMID 7979441.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ Van Haute N, Dooms-Goossens A (1983). "Shampoo dermatitis due to cocobetaine and sodium lauryl ether sulphate". Contact Dermatitis. 9 (2): 169. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1983.tb04348.x. PMID 6851541.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ 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
External links
- Description and health effects of sodium laureth sulfate by Children's Health Environmental Coalition