Sodium laureth sulfate is a general term for a class of closely related chemicals. It's a common ingredient in many cleaning products such as detergents, shampoos and soaps, as it's an inexpensive foaming agent. Sodium laureth sulfate can be an irritant, and several health concerns have sprouted around it.
Chemistry
Sodium laureth sulfate may be any chemical with the general formula CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na. The "n" in this formula indicates the number of (OCH2CH2) groups in the molecule and is also part of the specific name for the specific chemical. For example, sodium laureth-2 sulfate has the specific formula CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)2OSO3Na.
Uses
Cleaning products contain sodium laureth sulfate because of its surfactant properties. A surfactant is a substance that lowers the surface tension between two liquids, allowing them to mix more easily. This allows products that contain sodium laureth sulfate to remove grease on dirty dishes and clothes.
Irritation
Sodium laureth sulfate is a known irritant to the eyes as is typical of surfactants. It may also be a skin irritant depending on individual sensitivity. Sodium laurel sulfate is another common ingredient in detergents and is generally a stronger irritant than sodium laureth sulfate.
Claims
Many sources claim that sodium laureth sulfate is a carcinogen. These sources are frequently advertisers of personal care products that don't contain sodium laureth sulfate. Current scientific research doesn't support these claims, according to the American Cancer Society. You should discontinue using any of these products if they irritate your skin, as this can allow more dangerous chemicals to penetrate your skin.
Risks
Sodium laureth sulfate is generally safe in the concentrations that commercial products contain. The most significant health risk with products that contain sodium laureth sulfate is that the manufacturing process can result in a by-product called 1,4--dioxin, a known carcinogen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages, but does not require, manufacturers to remove 1,4--dioxin from their products.
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