LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS)
Consumer Use
(13) Function/ Product Use Description
LAS has wide-spread and dispersive use as a surfactant in the following consumer products.
Product Type Concentration in Products in US/Canada
(range)
Laundry detergents (dry) 5-25 %
Laundry detergents (liquids) 1-25 %
Laundry detergents (tablets) 5-25 %
Fabric conditioners (sheets) 0.1-0.5 %
Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 5-25 %
General cleaners (dilutable) 1-5 %
Hard surface cleaners 1-5 %
Face and hand soaps (bars) 1-5 %
Product Type Concentration in Products in Europe
(range)
Laundry detergents (dry) 5-25 %
Laundry detergents (liquids) 5-10 %
Laundry detergents (tablets) 10-25 %
Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 10-25 %
General cleaners (dilutable) 1-5 %
Hard surface cleaners 0.1-0.5 %
Product Type Concentration in Products in Japan
(range)
Laundry detergents (dry) 5-25 %
Laundry detergents (liquids) 5-25 %
Laundry detergents (tablets) 5-25 %
Fine fabric detergents (liquid) 1-5 %
Bleaches 0.1-0.5 %
Pre-washes 5-10 %
Dishwashing detergents (liquids) 1-5 %
Hard surface cleaners 0.5-10 %
Other cleaners 0.1-0.5 %
The level (%) in products shown above is in the formulated product and does not take into account any
dilution prior to or during use.
(14) General Description of Direct Exposures to Consumer Products and of Potential Releases to the
Environment Leading to Environmental Exposures and Indirect Human Exposures
Laundry and cleaning products may be used as is, or diluted prior to or during use.
Dermal contact may occur with laundry and/or cleaning products. There is some potential for incidental or
accidental ingestion of, inhalation of, and/or eye contact with products during handling and use.
Environmental releases from down-the-drain discharges following product use may lead to potential
environmental exposures in surface waters and indirect human exposures via drinking water and fish
consumption.
These potential exposures are discussed in the following pages and quantified in monitoring data (Format B)
and modeling data (Format C).
UNEP PUBLICATIONS 75