Ingredient Safety Information
Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE)
AE are nonionic surfactants composed of an alkyl chain (usually 12 to 15 carbons) combined with some ethylene oxide units (3 to 14).
By far, the greatest use of AEs is in domestic detergents, household cleaners, and personal care products such as shampoos.
AE are readily biodegradable under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Total measured removal rates in wastewater treatment plants vary from 99.6 to 99.9%.
The acute toxicity of AE is dependent on the alkyl chain length and the number of EOs. Toxicity to aquatic organisms, measured by EC50, ranges from very toxic (<1 mg/L) to harmful (between 10 and 100 mg/l). NOEC values range from 42 to 380 5g/L.
By far, the greatest use of AEs is in domestic detergents, household cleaners, and personal care products such as shampoos.
AE are readily biodegradable under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Total measured removal rates in wastewater treatment plants vary from 99.6 to 99.9%.
The acute toxicity of AE is dependent on the alkyl chain length and the number of EOs. Toxicity to aquatic organisms, measured by EC50, ranges from very toxic (<1 mg/L) to harmful (between 10 and 100 mg/l). NOEC values range from 42 to 380 5g/L.
Some Publications by P&G Scientists
- Belanger S E, Guckert J B, Bowling J W, Begley W M, Davidson D H, Leblanc E M, Lee D M (2000). Responses Of Aquatic Communities To 25-6 Alcohol Ethoxylate In Model Stream Ecosystems. Aquatic Toxicology. 48: 135-150.
- E.J. van de Plassche, J.H.M. de Bruijn, R.R. Stephenson, S.J. Marshall, T.C.J. Feijtel et S.E. Belanger. Predicted No-Effect Concentrations and Risk Characterization of Four Surfactants: Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate, Alcohol Ethoxylates, Alcohol Ethoxylated Sulfates, and Soap. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18 (11), 2653-2663, 1999.
- T.C.J. Feijtel, J. Struijs et E. Matthijs. Exposure Modeling of Detergent Surfactants - Prediction of 90th-Percentile Concentrations in The Netherlands. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18 (11), 2645-2652, 1999.
- E. Matthijs, M.S. Holt, A. Kiewiet et G.B.J. Rijs. Environmental Monitoring for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Alcohol Ethoxylate, Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfate, Alcohol Sulfate, and Soap. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18 (11), 2634-2644, 1999.
- D.C. McAvoy, S.D. Dyer, N.J. Fendinger, W.S. Eckhoff, D.L. Lawrence et W.M. Begley. Removal of Alcohol Ethoxylates, Alkyl Ethoxylate Sulfates, and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates in Wastewater Treatment. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 17 (9), 1705-1711, 1998.
- N.J. Fendinger, W.M. Begley, D.C. McAvoy et W.S. Eckhoff. Measurement of Alkyl Ethoxylate Surfactants in Natural Waters. Environ. Sc. Technol., 29, 856-863, 1995.
- Belanger S E, Meiers E M, Bausch R G, Sweeney B N, Hart D D, Jackson J, Wolbach K. Direct and Indirect Ecotoxicological Effects of Alkyl Sulfate and Alkyl Ethoxysulfate on Macroinvertebrates in Stream Mesocosms. Aquatic Toxicology. 33: 65-87, 1995.
