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CarCareTruth

Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate

  • Nonionic surfactants
  • CAS 57171-56-9
  • IUPAC: Polyethoxylated sorbitan hexaoleate

Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate (CAS 57171-56-9) appears in 1 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is readily biodegradable.

Food-grade related compound (sorbitan oleates are FDA GRAS for indirect food contact). No GHS classification at ingredient level. Skin and eye irritation possible at high concentration; not a sensitizer or carcinogen.

Polyethoxylated sorbitol hexaoleate (CAS 57171-56-9) is the emulsifier that makes solvent-based "spray on, hose off" engine degreasers actually rinse off with water. Without it, a petroleum-solvent payload would simply re-deposit as oily film when sprayed with a garden hose. The molecule has a polyethoxylated sorbitol head (water-loving) bonded to oleate ester tails (oil-loving), which suspends solvent + grease emulsions long enough for water to carry them off.

The compound is in the same family as Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN 80), an FDA-GRAS food emulsifier. It is not classified as hazardous, is readily biodegradable per OECD criteria, and shows low aquatic toxicity. At 1–3% in a formulation it has effectively zero hazard footprint — the entire health/environment profile of the parent product is driven by the petroleum-solvent fraction, not this surfactant.

For users: this is the benign part of the bottle. Not a meaningful contributor to any classification or PPE recommendation.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
5/5
Purpose: Nonionic emulsifier — bridges petroleum-solvent actives with water during the water-rinse step, allowing solvent-based degreasers to be rinsed off rather than left as oily residue.

Common questions about Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate

What is Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate used for in car care?
Nonionic emulsifier — bridges petroleum-solvent actives with water during the water-rinse step, allowing solvent-based degreasers to be rinsed off rather than left as oily residue.
Is Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate a VOC?
No. Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate biodegradable?
Yes. Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

1 product 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.