LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS)
Reference: 1) Soap and Detergent Association 1996
2) Survey data for Industry Coalition for the SIDS Assessment of LAS. 2002.
C. Uses in Institutional and Industrial Products
The following table shows the percentage of LAS that occurs in various types of institutional and industrial
detergent products.
Industrial Product
Range of Percent Composition that is LAS
Type
Laundry Detergents
North America Europe Japan
- Powders
5-25%
5-10%
5-10%
- Liquids
-
10-25%
-
Pre-Washes - 10-25% -
Dishwashing Detergents
(liquids)
General Cleaners
5-10% 25-30% 5-30%
- Dilutable
1-5%
-
-
- Spray
1-5%
-
-
Hard Surface Cleaners - - 1-10%
Disinfectants (liquids) 5-10% - -
Other Uses 25-30%* 10-25% 10-25%
6.1 * The only exception is a product containing 45% LAS that is a concentrated solid mechanically dispensed
into diluted solution for dishwashing.
Reference: 1) Soap and Detergent Association 1996
2) Survey data for Industry Coalition for the SIDS Assessment of LAS. 2002.
1.8 OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUE
Exposure limit value
Type: None established by OSHA, ACGIH or NIOSH
Short term exposure limit value
Value: None established by OSHA, ACGIH or NIOSH
1.9 SOURCES OF EXPOSURE
Remarks: Exposure to industrial workers is limited because this is an enclosed manufacturing
process designed to minimize losses and the potential for release. Worker exposure is
possible during the detergent formulation stage by inhalation of powders or dermal
contact of powders and liquids. However, good manufacturing design practices (e.g.
enclosed production, exhaust ventilation, dust collection) and personal protective
equipment (e.g. protection clothing, eyewear, and glove) in place of at facilities that
manufacture liquid and dry (granular/powder) materials sufficiently mitigate worker
exposure to LAS. No special engineering controls or additional personal protective
equipment are uniquely specified for LAS.
LAS is used primarily in household laundry and dishwashing cleaning products.
After use, LAS is discharged into the wastewater treatment system. The exposure of
the general human population and of environmental organisms depends on the
application of LAS, the local sewage treatment practices, and on the characteristics of
the receiving environment.
UNEP PUBLICATIONS 116