LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

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OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) VI. Activities, Releases and Exposures, and Factors that Mitigate or Exacerbate Exposures by Activity Manufacture (1) Process Description LAS is produced from the sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) to make an intermediate, LAB sulfonic acid. The acid is produced primarily by oleum or air/SO3 sulfonation, in batch or continuous processing equipment in enclosed sulfonation facilities. The entire production of LAB sulfonic acid is used in the production of LAS. LAS is formed when the LAB sulfonic acid is neutralized to the sodium salt with sodium hydroxide or other base. LAS is produced in a closed system process as both dry product and as an aqueous solution. There are 22 LAS manufacturing facilities in the US. (Colin Houston, 2000). The following manufacturing and mitigation measures apply to all of the manufacturing facilities operated by members of the Coalition in Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States (LAS SIDS Coalition Survey, 2002). (2) General Description of Potential Releases and Exposures Potential releases to the environment are minimal due to manufacturing processes that have been designed to maximize production yield and minimize potential releases. Extensive engineering controls are in place to minimize releases to the environment. These controls include SO 2 /SO 3 monitoring devices, spill containment dikes for rail unloading, leak inspections, high level tank alarms, and auto shut off valves. Emissions controls include line cyclones, electrostatic precipitation and passing through caustic scrubbers and scrubbing demisters. Any LAS that is not incorporated into a product is captured by dust-handling equipment for recycling back into the production process. A limited amount of LAS in aqueous solution may be released as a dilute solution from washing and rinsing operations in the manufacturing process. Any minimal LAS released from manufacturing plants that produce or formulate LAS is discharged to wastewater treatment. Incidental quantities of the dry product (e.g., from floor sweepings) may be disposed in landfills. Potential workplace exposures include inhalation of dust, dermal contact with powders, granules and liquids; there is the potential for incidental or accidental ingestion, and/or eye contact with the product during handling in the manufacturing process. (3) Discussion of Factors that Mitigate or Exacerbate Releases and Exposures LAS is water soluble (250 g/L) and has low vapor pressure (3E-13 Pa). The low volatility and production of LAS in tablet, powder/granular (e.g., use of Good Manufacturing Practices, personal protective equipment) and liquid (e.g., droplet size controls) forms minimize the potential for inhalation. It is effectively removed in biological wastewater treatment (up to 99+%) and is rapidly and completely biodegraded (70-90+% in ≤28 days). It has low potential for bioaccumulation (BCF - 87 L/kg), with rapid clearance. These characteristics help to minimize the potential for human and environmental exposure. LAS environmental releases are not regulated independently, but as part of overall facility emissions. Mitigation includes use of good manufacturing practices, best available technology and engineering controls. Engineering controls (e.g., exhaust ventilation, dust collection) and personal protective equipment (e.g., protective clothing, eyewear, and gloves) in place at facilities that manufacture liquid and dry materials sufficiently mitigate worker exposure to LAS. All processing of LAB, LAB sulfonic acids and LAS takes place in closed systems that significantly minimize worker exposure. Workers also wear standard personal protective equipment including safety goggles, face shields, safety shoes, impervious nitrile gloves, long sleeved clothing, and rubber boots. Workers may also employ cartridge-type respirators equipped with organic vapor cartridges and acid-resistant suits, for example, during steaming and washing. The closed production process and use of personal protective equipment effectively eliminates exposure to production workers. No special engineering controls and no additional personal protective equipment are uniquely specified for LAS. (4) Remarks Product formulation, the blending of LAS with other ingredients, is not expected to result in workplace exposures that exceed those for LAS manufacturing facilities. In some cases, LAS is blended into finished products in the same facilities where it is produced, in other cases the facilities are separate. In all cases, engineering controls and personal protective equipment are similar. UNEP PUBLICATIONS 72
OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) Industrial Use (5) Function/Product Use Description A minor amount of LAS production (0.003%) has industrial uses. The vast majority of the production used for industrial purposes are as plasticizers in masonry admixtures (~60%) and air entraining agents in concrete admixtures (~40%). Polymer stabilizers in food packing films and dispersing agents in sealant materials for can ends, pail lids, and drums make up no more than about 3% of total Industrial uses. (6) General description of Potential Releases and Exposures There is a low potential for incidental dermal, ingestion, inhalation or eye contact with the product during handling and use. There is also a low potential for environmental release from industrial uses of LAS. (7) Discussion of Factors that Mitigate or Exacerbate Releases and Exposures Exposure to LAS in industrial products is mitigated by following use and precaution instructions on product labels. (8) Remarks Industrial uses make up an insignificant portion of the total LAS production. LAS is manufactured for use in consumer and commercial/institutional laundry and cleaning product formulations and is not used as an intermediate/derivative for further chemical manufacturing processes. Commercial Use (9) Function/Product Use Description LAS is a surfactant used in commercial laundry and cleaning products that are either used as supplied or diluted prior to use. Uses include institutional and industrial products; for example: Product Type Concentration in Products in US/Canada (range) Laundry detergents (dry) 5-25 % Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 5-10 % General cleaners 1-5 % Disinfectant cleaners (liquids) 5-10 % Product Type Concentration in Products in Europe (range) Laundry detergents (dry) 5-10 % Laundry detergents (liquids) 10-25 % Pre-washes 10-25 % Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 25-50 % Product Type Concentration in Products in Japan (range) Laundry detergents (dry) 5-10 % Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 5-50 % Hard surface cleaners 1-10% UNEP PUBLICATIONS 73
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LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

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