History and Information
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Profile
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. SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects. The related surfactant SLS is a known irritant, and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a detergent widely used in shampoos and other sudsing personal care products. SLES may be irritating to eyes and skin. Otherwise, it is considered for safe. SLES can become contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers to be a probable carcinogen. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to strip out this contaminant. A somewhat stronger cousin of sodium laureth sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association discourages use of sodium lauryl sulfate in products intended for prolonged use, unless in low concentrations. Information has circulated on the Internet and elsewhere that shampoos and other products containing SLS or SLES cause cancer. However, there is no evidence that either ingredient is carcinogenic. Since these ingredients can cause skin and eye irration, it is prudent to discontinue use if these symptoms appear. Irritants may permit the penetration of other, more dangerous chemicals.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an anionic surfactant, usually a mixture of sodium alkyl sulfates, mainly the lauryl; lowers surface tension of aqueous solutions; used as fat emulsifier, wetting agent, detergent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and toothpastes; also as research tool in protein biochemistry.
Synonyms
Dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt; Sodium dodecyl sulfate; Sodium lauryl sulfate; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate [USAN:JAN]; Sodium lauryl sulfate ether; Sodium n-dodecyl sulfate; Sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt
Household Products Using SLS
Other Uses
Used in the electroplating industry, particularly nickel and zinc; as an emulsifier, wetting agent and adjuvant in insecticides; as an emulsifier and penetrant in varnish and paint remover; in the formulation of injection-molded explosives; anti-foaming agent in solid rocket propellants; as a model surfactant and reference toxicant in aquatic and mammalian toxicological testing.
Human Toxicity Excerpts
...SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE CAN PRODUCE ALLERGIC SENSITIVITY REACTIONS.
[American Medical Association, AMA Department of Drugs, AMA Drug Evaluations. 3rd ed. Littleton, Massachusetts: PSG Publishing Co., Inc., 1977., p. 896] **PEER REVIEWED**
/SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE/...MAY PRODUCE DRYING EFFECT ON SKIN.
[American Hospital Formulary Service. Volumes I and II. Washington, DC: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, to 1984., p. 84:20] **PEER REVIEWED**
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN COMMONEST CAUSE OF EYE IRRITATION BY COMMERCIAL SHAMPOOS.
[Grant, W. M. Toxicology of the Eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974., p. 964] **PEER REVIEWED**
AMONG 242 PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM ECZEMATOUS DERMATITIS, THE PERCENTAGE OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS REACHED 54.6%. GREAT NUMBER OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (6.4%) WAS OBSERVED.
[BLONDEEL A ET AL; CONTACT DERMATITIS 4(5) 270 (1978)] **PEER REVIEWED**
WIDELY USED ANIONIC DETERGENTS OF LOW ACUTE & CHRONIC TOXICITY. /ALKYL SODIUM SULFATES/
[Gosselin, R.E., H.C. Hodge, R.P. Smith, and M.N. Gleason. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 4th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1976., p. II-178] **PEER REVIEWED**
Poison by intravernous and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and a human skin irritant.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2974] **PEER REVIEWED**
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