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Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated

  • Nonionic surfactants
  • CAS 68131-39-5
  • IUPAC: Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated

Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated (CAS 68131-39-5) appears in 7 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is readily biodegradable.

GHS classified Acute Tox. 4 (H302 — harmful if swallowed) and Eye Dam. 1 (H318 — serious eye damage) at the ingredient level, with oral LD50 1,650–2,000 mg/kg in rat. At finished-product concentrations (typically 1–3%), the H318 ingredient classification is reduced to H319 (eye irritation, Cat 2) at the mixture level, which is what carries through to product SDSs. Not a skin sensitizer or asthmagen. No Prop 65 listing for the base substance; 1,4-dioxane may be present at trace levels as an ethoxylation byproduct depending on manufacturing controls.

C12-15 alcohol ethoxylates (CAS 68131-39-5, EC 500-195-7) are nonionic surfactants made by ethoxylating a C12–C15 fatty-alcohol blend. They lower surface tension, emulsify oils, and improve film uniformity in water-based formulations — making them a workhorse ingredient in SiO₂ wet-on-wet sprays, ceramic toppers, and pH-neutral wash products.

At undiluted ingredient strength they are classified H302 (harmful if swallowed) and H318 (serious eye damage), and the aquatic profile is severe: H400 acute Cat 1 plus H412 chronic Cat 3 with sub-1 mg/L EC50 values across multiple species. At the 1–3% concentrations typical in finished detailing products, the mixture-level classification softens to H319 only and the aquatic codes do not always carry through to the product SDS — but the rinse-off drain pathway means even diluted use contributes a small recurring environmental load. Readily biodegradable per OECD 301 limits persistence in aerobic surface water; the lipophilic profile (log Pow 6.65) means uptake is via dissolved phase, not bioaccumulation.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
yes
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
3/5
Purpose: Nonionic surfactant and wetting agent in water-based spray sealants, coatings, and SiO₂ booster formulations

Common questions about Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated

What is Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated used for in car care?
Nonionic surfactant and wetting agent in water-based spray sealants, coatings, and SiO₂ booster formulations
Is Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated a VOC?
No. Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated biodegradable?
Yes. Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

7 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.