Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated
- Nonionic surfactants
- CAS 68439-50-9
- IUPAC: Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated
Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated (CAS 68439-50-9) appears in 3 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is readily biodegradable.
GHS: eye irritant (H319) at ingredient level; may contribute H318 (serious eye damage) at high concentrations in the mixture. Not an asthmagen, not Prop 65-listed. Skin sensitization not classified. Oral LD50 in rat approximately 1,400–2,000 mg/kg.
C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates (CAS 68439-50-9) are nonionic surfactants produced by reacting C12–C14 fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. The linear chain length and ethoxylation degree are tuned for high foaming — a property exploited in foam cannon shampoos and foam-applied sealants. In the CarPro HydrO2 Foam formulation (20–<25% by weight per SDS §3), the C12-14 EA delivers the foam structure that carries the aminosiloxane to the paint surface.
The ingredient is classified H400 (aquatic acute Cat 1) at ingredient level; at the mixture level in HydrO2 Foam the aquatic classification does not carry through to the §2 mixture classification. Readily biodegradable per OECD 301F (95% biological oxygen demand in 28 days, confirmed in CarPro SDS §12.2). Not bioaccumulative at standard degrees of ethoxylation.
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
Common questions about Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated
- What is Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated used for in car care?
- Nonionic surfactant; primary cleaning and foaming agent; high aqueous foam generation makes it common in foam cannon formulations
- Is Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated a VOC?
- No. Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
- Is Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated biodegradable?
- Yes. Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated has a confirmed biodegradable profile.
3 products contain this
CarPro HydrO2 Foamhybrid-ceramic-spray
CarPro Inside Car Interior Cleanerfabric-upholstery-cleaner
CarPro Multi X All Purpose Cleaner Concentrateall-purpose-cleaner
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.