Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether)
- Nonionic surfactants
- CAS 9036-19-5
- IUPAC: 2-[2-[2-[2-(octylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethanol and homologs
CarCareTruth tracks Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) (CAS 9036-19-5) as a car-care ingredient.
At concentrated form the SDS classifies octoxynol H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage), H318 (serious eye damage), and H335 (may cause respiratory irritation); at the dilute concentrations typical in finished cleaners (<1%) the mixture-level hazard is lower. It is not on California's Prop 65 list. As a member of the octylphenol ethoxylate class, it is associated with potential endocrine-active degradation products, a class-level concern primarily flagged for aquatic environments.
Octoxynol (CAS 9036-19-5) is a nonionic surfactant in the octylphenol ethoxylate (OPE) family. It is used as an emulsifier and wetting agent in cleaning formulations. OPEs as a class have known aquatic toxicity and potential endocrine-disrupting activity related to their nonylphenol degradation products — octoxynol is structurally similar. SDS ingredient-level classifications include H318 (serious eye damage), H314 (skin corrosion), and H335 (respiratory irritation) at concentrated form. At the dilute concentrations typical in consumer cleaning products (<1%), the mixture-level hazard is generally lower than the ingredient level. Aquatic toxicity is a concern when this surfactant class enters wastewater streams.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- no
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- yes
- Biodegradable
- no
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- no
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 2/5
Common questions about Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether)
- What is Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) used for in car care?
- Nonionic surfactant and emulsifier used in cleaners and degreasers
- Is Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) a VOC?
- No. Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Octoxynol (polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
No products on file contain this (yet)
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.