Product Name: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Synonyms: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, SLES
Chemical Formula: RO(CH2CH2O)nSO3Na, where R is a C12-14 alkyl group, n varies typically from 1 to 4
CAS Number: 9004-82-4
Intended Use: Ingredient in personal care products, household cleaners, industrial cleaning products
Manufacturer’s Contact: Available through supplier, chemical distributor, or manufacturer
Emergency Contact: Refer to the local area emergency phone numbers and Poison Control Center
GHS Classification: Skin irritant (Category 2), Eye irritant (Category 2A), Aquatic acute toxicity (Category 3)
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, harmful to aquatic life
Signal Word: Warning
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, environment
Precautionary Statements: Wash hands after use, avoid inhalation and contact with eyes, use personal protective equipment, avoid release into environment
Chemical Name: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Common Name: SLES
Concentration Range: 25%–70% aqueous solution (varies by product)
Impurities: Sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, unreacted alcohols, trace 1,4-dioxane
Other Ingredients: Water to balance, minor content of other ether sulfate chain lengths
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist such as coughing or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin immediately with plenty of water, wash with soap, seek medical advice for persistent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy, continue rinsing, consult a doctor if irritation or pain continue
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth thoroughly with water, offer water to drink, seek professional medical help if large quantity swallowed or person feels unwell
Acute Exposure Symptoms: Redness, pain, irritation to skin and eyes, gastrointestinal upset if ingested
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, or water spray
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct water stream on product to prevent frothing
Specific Hazards: Product itself does not burn but releases toxic gases such as carbon oxides, sulfur oxides under fire conditions
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear full protective clothing and approved self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Instructions: Move containers from fire area if safe, avoid inhaling smoke or vapors, contain runoff with sand or earth to protect waterways
Personal Precautions: Use protective gear including gloves, chemical goggles, appropriate respiratory protection if exposed to mists
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, watercourses, or soil, contain spill with absorbent material such as sand, avoid release into environment
Spill Containment: Dike and absorb spillage, collect with non-combustible absorbent, place in labeled chemical waste containers
Cleanup Procedures: Wash area with plenty of water after spill clean-up, ventilate affected place, dispose according to local regulations
Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation, avoid breathing vapor or mist, prevent contact with skin and eyes, ensure equipment is properly grounded
Storage: Store in tightly closed original container, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and acids
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, light, moisture
Specific Storage Issues: Use corrosion-resistant containers, prevent freezing
Hygiene Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using, wash hands after handling
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limit set by OSHA or ACGIH, manufacturer can offer recommended workplace guidelines
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, eye wash stations, emergency showers
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, protective clothing, in high concentrations use a NIOSH-approved respirator
General Safety Measures: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, wash contaminated clothing before reuse, maintain good general industrial hygiene practices
Appearance: Clear to yellowish viscous liquid
Odor: Mild, characteristic
pH Value: 6.5–9.5 (10% solution in water)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Less than 0°C
Boiling Point: >100°C
Flash Point: Not applicable (non-flammable aqueous solution)
Solubility: Easily soluble in water, forms stable foaming solutions
Density: 1.04 – 1.10 g/cm3 (for 28%–30% solution)
Viscosity: Varies depending on concentration and temperature, typically 1,000–2,000 mPa·s
Vapor Pressure: Low at ambient temperature
Partition Coefficient: log Pow under 2, low bioaccumulation potential
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, no hazardous reactions during intended use
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged contact with heat, moisture, direct sunlight, strong acids, or oxidizing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Emits toxic fumes like oxides of sulfur, carbon, and possibly sodium compounds when decomposed in fire
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: None known with standard industrial use or recommended handling
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) approximately 4,100 mg/kg; unlikely to be highly toxic through acute oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure at workplace levels
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes irritating effects to skin, may worsen on prolonged or repeated contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Highly irritating to eyes, risk of burns in case of splashing
Respiratory Sensitization: May provoke cough or mild throat irritation from aerosols
Carcinogenicity: No evidence from animal or human studies; 1,4-dioxane as a process contaminant requires attention
Other Effects: Allergic reactions and eczematous dermatitis may develop in individuals with sensitive skin or those with frequent exposure
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, acute toxicity EC50 (daphnia) in the range of 7–36 mg/L, fish LC50 (96h) approximately 7–15 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly biodegradable (primary and ultimate), OECD 301 test shows over 90% removal
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, does not bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Expected high mobility, moves easily with water
Other Adverse Effects: Sudden release into environment may disrupt water treatment microbial balance and damage aquatic organisms
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of surplus and non-recyclable product with a licensed waste disposal contractor
Product Disposal: Reduce waste generation, avoid discharge to sewers, waterways, or soil, follow regional and national regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers thoroughly, ensure waste containers are closed and labeled, handle packaging as hazardous if residue remains
Recommended Disposal Route: Treat through professional chemical waste facilities, incineration or controlled landfill as required by local law
UN Number: Not regulated as a dangerous good for land, sea, or air transport in most concentrations
Transport Hazard Class: None
Packing Group: None
Proper Shipping Name: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Special Precautions: Avoid transporting with strong oxidizers, acids, and foodstuffs, ensure containers are tightly sealed and leak-proof
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant under most shipping regulations, but bulk spills require quick clean-up
Safety, Health, and Environmental Regulations: Listed under TSCA in the United States, complies with EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), and more
GHS Labeling: Exclamation mark pictogram used, hazard and precautionary statements comply with current global system
SARA/OSHA/IARC Status: Not listed as a carcinogen or hazardous air pollutant
REACH Status: Registered in the EU according to applicable guidelines
Other Information: Monitoring for 1,4-dioxane by-product required during production, product intended for professional and industrial users, community right-to-know standards apply in some jurisdictions
