Description Of SLES
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in
a great many personal care products within the
marketplace and within our homes. SLES is a common, inexpensive, reliable foaming agent used in detergents. It is common in
shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers. It is also found in common household detergents, like dish soap. In all of these examples
SLES acts as a foaming agent, creating a thick lather which when spread and active pushes the dirt away from the surface its on, not
allowing the grim to stick back down, allowing for an easy rinse and allowing for a much easier time mechanically washing people or
materials. SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent. SLES, SLS, ALS are great and effective surfactants that are used in
many cosmetic products for their cleansing and bubble creating properties. This page was created because Health Canada has categorized sodium laureth sulfate as a moderate human health priority and yet thousands of companies still use this surfactant. This surfactant is being exposed to those we love, those we care about and yet no one seems to care about the risks that they are putting their loved ones at, the risk we are putting the very future generations of our world at
marketplace and within our homes. SLES is a common, inexpensive, reliable foaming agent used in detergents. It is common in
shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers. It is also found in common household detergents, like dish soap. In all of these examples
SLES acts as a foaming agent, creating a thick lather which when spread and active pushes the dirt away from the surface its on, not
allowing the grim to stick back down, allowing for an easy rinse and allowing for a much easier time mechanically washing people or
materials. SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent. SLES, SLS, ALS are great and effective surfactants that are used in
many cosmetic products for their cleansing and bubble creating properties. This page was created because Health Canada has categorized sodium laureth sulfate as a moderate human health priority and yet thousands of companies still use this surfactant. This surfactant is being exposed to those we love, those we care about and yet no one seems to care about the risks that they are putting their loved ones at, the risk we are putting the very future generations of our world at
Chemical DescriptionChemical Formula: C12+2nH25+4nNaO4+nS
Molar mass: 288.38 g/mol Density: 1.05 g/cm³ Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be found as a clear colorless liquid, it can also be found as very pale yellow. The density and viscosity of the chemical usually depend of the concentration of the substance at the time. SLES can be found in many states depending on what it is being used for. Chemists tend to use it while it is still in its solid state to ensure that it is a pure reactant and not mixed with anything that may alter the results of their research. while in a solid state the chemical can take the form of solid almost see-through sand. The texture of this chemical can range depending on the state but while it is in a solid state it acquires a very rough texture. Feels almost "grainy to the touch." |
Reactions with the Environment and the Creatures Within SLES is not a very biodegradable chemical, it will degrade eventually, but not instantly, whenever SLES is introduced into an environment it stays a while then will dissolve into the environment. Depending on where SLES is used it can be very harmful to the environment and to the animals within it. SLES stays in the environment long after your shower has ended.
On tests were land mammals were SLES was tested no signs of toxicity were reported. However SLES was a much different subject when it was exposed to a water environment. SLES and other surfactants are generally very toxic to average fish life and other aquatic organisms. Can be harmful at any concentration level from 1 - 100mg/l. the surface action of the average surfactant such as SLES allows for them to get into the cell membranes of fish were they can perhaps upset the balance of ions and water. This can cause the gill epithelium, gills, of most fish to swell while in contact with SLES. Most fish and or aquatic organisms that are affected by this die of asphyxiation before they are able to recover. |