sodium laureth sulfate | Healthy Child Healthy World

Description

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a detergent widely used in shampoos and other sudsing personal care products. SLES may be irritating to eyes and skin. Otherwise, it is considered for safe. SLES can become contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers to be a probable carcinogen. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to strip out this contaminant. A somewhat stronger cousin of sodium laureth sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association discourages use of sodium lauryl sulfate in products intended for prolonged use, unless in low concentrations. Information has circulated on the Internet and elsewhere that shampoos and other products containing SLS or SLES cause cancer. However, there is no evidence that either ingredient is carcinogenic. Since these ingredients can cause skin and eye irration, it is prudent to discontinue use if these symptoms appear. Irritants may permit the penetration of other, more dangerous chemicals.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, sodium laureth sulfate is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, sodium laureth sulfate is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), sodium laureth sulfate is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical may cause cancer. It is considered a Possible Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.

Other

Skin and eye irritation.

How Exposures Occur

Through the skin

Sodium laureth sulfate and/or 1,4-dioxane may be absorbed through the scalp and skin from shampoos, bath and shower gels, and other personal care products.

Solutions

How to detect sodium laureth sulfate

Check shampoo and other labels for sodium laureth sulfate. A search for sodium laureth sulfate on the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database will show a list of products that contain it.
You can search for products containing sodium laureth sulfate on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

How to minimize exposure to sodium laureth sulfate

Alternatives

Natural plant- and mineral-based personal care products are sold in natural foods stores. However, some may also contain sodium laureth sulfate, so read labels before purchasing.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

Other government agencies

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov

Nonprofit organizations

Environmental Working Group

1436 U St. N.W., Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009

http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/

Other websites

National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

Because We're Worth it! The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

http://www.safecosmetics.org"> http://www.safecosmetics.org