Sodium laureth sulfate
28962
225264079
2008-07-12T19:43:01Z
68.148.164.166
/* Toxicology */
{{Chembox new
| Name = Sodium laureth sulfate
| ImageFile = Sodium laureth sulfate.png
| IUPACName =<!-- No systematic name, because not single molecule. -->
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 009004-82-4
| SMILES =
}}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| Formula = CH<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>10</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>(OCH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>OSO<sub>3</sub>Na<br>C<sub>11+n</sub>H<sub>23+4n</sub>NaO<sub>4+n</sub>S
| MolarMass = around 420 g/mol<br>(274.35 + 44.05n) g mol<sup>−1</sup>
| Density =
| MeltingPt =
| BoilingPt =
}}
}}
'''Sodium laureth sulfate''', or '''sodium lauryl ether sulfate''' ('''SLES'''), is a [[detergent]] and [[surfactant]] found in many personal care products ([[soap]]s, [[shampoo]]s, [[toothpaste]] etc.). It is an inexpensive and very effective [[foaming agent]].
Its chemical formula is [[carbon|C]][[hydrogen|H]]<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>10</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>([[oxygen|O]]CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>O[[sulfur|S]]O<sub>3</sub>[[sodium|Na]]. 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. n=3 is common in commercial products. SLES can be derived from [[ethoxylation]] of [[Dodecanol|dodecyl alcohol]] used to make [[sodium dodecyl sulfate|SDS]].
[[Sodium lauryl sulfate]] (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SLS) and [[ammonium lauryl sulfate]] (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.<ref name="SLES_Product_Identification">Sodium Laureth Sulfate POE(2). Chemical Land 21, Seoul, Korea. [http://www.chemicalland21.com/specialtychem/perchem/SODIUM%20LAURETH%20SULFATE.htm Product Identification]</ref>
While SLS is a known irritant,<ref name="Agner_T">Agner T. Susceptibility of atopic dermatitis patients to irritant dermatitis caused by sodium lauryl sulphate. ''Acta Derm Venereol.'' 1991;71(4):296-300. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1681644 Abstract]</ref><ref name="A._Nassif_1994">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. [http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/130/11/1402 Abstract]</ref> some evidence and research suggest that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure.<ref name="Allergic_Contact_Dermatitis">Magnusson B, Gilje O. Allergic contact dermatitis from a dish-washing liquid containing lauryl ether sulphate. ''Acta Derm Venereol.'' 1973;53(2):136-40. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=4120956 Abstract]</ref><ref name="Shampoo_Dermatitis">Van Haute N, Dooms-Goossens A. Shampoo dermatitis due to cocobetaine and sodium lauryl ether sulphate. ''Contact Dermatitis.'' 1983 Mar;9(2):169. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6851541 Abstract]</ref>
==Toxicology==
The [[Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association]] (CTFA) and the [[American Cancer Society]] have stated that the common belief that SLES is a carcinogen is an [[urban legend]], a view confirmed by toxicology research by the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]], [[National Toxicology Program|NTP]], and [[International Agency for Research on Cancer|IARC]].<ref name="CTFA">Rumor: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. ''The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association.'' 13, October 2000. [http://www.ctfa.org/Template.cfm?Section=Internet_Rumors&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=867 Consumer Information]</ref>
SLES and SLS, and subsequently the products containing them, have been found to contain parts-per-thousand to parts-per-million levels of [[1,4-dioxane]], with the recommendation that these levels be monitored.<ref name="Occurrence_Dioxane">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. [http://www.atypon-link.com/AOAC/doi/abs/10.5555/jaoi.2001.84.3.666 Abstract]</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).<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 this contaminant, it is not currently required by federal law.<ref name="FDA_Dioxane">FDA/CFSAN--Cosmetics Handbook Part 3: Cosmetic Product-Related Regulatory Requirements and Health Hazard Issues. [http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-hdb3.html Prohibited Ingredients and other Hazardous Substances: 9. Dioxane]</ref>
==See also==
* [[Sodium dodecyl sulfate]] (Sodium lauryl sulfate)
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=285 Description and health effects of sodium laureth sulfate] by Children's Health Environmental Coalition
[[Category:Cosmetic chemicals]]
[[Category:Ethers]]
[[Category:Household chemicals]]
[[Category:Organosulfates]]
[[Category:Sodium compounds]]
[[Category:Surfactants]]
[[de:Natriumdodecylpoly(oxyethylen)sulfat]]
[[fr:Laureth sulfate de sodium]]
[[nl:Natriumlaurylethersulfaat]]
[[pt:Lauriléter sulfato de sódio]]