LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS)
It is reasonable to consider that the tasks with the greatest exposure to the consumer
are hand dishwashing and hand washing of clothing.
Reference: 1) EU Risk Assessment Report for LAB, May 1997.
2) IPCS Environmental Health Criteria 169, WHO, 1996.
1.10 ADDITIONAL REMARKS
A. Options for disposal
Remarks: Unused LAS may be recovered for reprocessing or disposed of by incineration or
landfill or by flushing to sewage system; used material enters sewage system and is
treated at WWTP. Spills may be recovered for reprocessing or disposal.
Reference: MSDS.
B. Other remarks
(a)
Remarks: The majority of LAS is disposed of in sewage during use as cleaning/washing agents.
Reference: Soap and Detergent Association 1996.
(b)
Methods: A study conducted for the Soap and Detergent Association (Battelle 1999)
measured the under 10 micron fraction delivered from 6 consumer product spray
nozzles. The six standard trigger sprayers (TS800) were manufactured by Calmar
Dispensing System, Inc. The specified average output of the sprayers, based on
water at 90 strokes per minute, is no less than 0.75 mL per stroke. The specified
spray pattern is a nearly circular pattern with a diameter of no less than four inches
at a distance of approximately eight inches. The six trigger sprayers were evaluated
to determine emitted aerosol size distribution, output per stroke and spray pattern in
order to avoid choosing a trigger sprayer with abnormal characteristics for the
experiment. Size distribution of aerosols generated from the six sprayers was
measured using a laser diffraction particle sizer (Mastersizer Model X, Malvern
Intruments Ltd).
Remarks: The overall mean (n=30) is 0.11% particles under 10 microns and the standard
deviation is 0.21. The very highest observation was 0.80% particles under 10
microns. This testing only captured the spray particles that are under 600 microns,
so the actual mean respirable particle percent of total volume sprayed is less than
0.1%. The Battelle (1999) study also reported that for consumer spray products in
normal use conditions, the peak breathing zone concentration under 10 microns
ranged from 0.13-0.72 mg/m 3 . HERA (2004) reported that measurements of
aerosol particles under 6.4 microns in size generated upon spraying with typical
surface cleaning spray products resulted in a product concentration of 0.35 mg/m 3 .
These estimates of exposure to respirable particles from consumer spray products
indicate that inhalation is not a likely route of concern for human exposure (see
SIAR Annex 1 for more information). Estimates of inhalation exposure apply to
both consumer and commercial products as both use the same type of spray nozzles
(for spray cleaners) and the same type of equipment to make powder/granulated
products. The human experience with eye irritation covers both manufacturing and
use of consumer and commercial products.
References: 1) Battelle, Inc. 1999. Measurement and characterization of aerosols generate
from a consumer spray product-pilot study. Final report to the Soap and Detergent
Association. Battelle Study No. N003043A. January.
UNEP PUBLICATIONS 117