Sodium Benzenesulfonate
- Anionic surfactants
- CAS 68081-81-2
- IUPAC: Sodium (C10-16) benzenesulfonate
Sodium Benzenesulfonate (CAS 68081-81-2) appears in 1 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is readily biodegradable.
Mild skin and eye irritant at concentrate strength. At consumer product concentrations (≤10%), typically classified with H315 skin irritation and H319 eye irritation, though many formulations fall below classification thresholds. Not classified as a respiratory sensitizer or carcinogen. Prolonged or repeated skin contact with concentrated solutions can cause dermatitis.
Sodium (C10-16) benzenesulfonate is a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) anionic surfactant used in a wide range of cleaning products. It is one of the most common surfactants in consumer and automotive cleaning formulations, providing soil emulsification, wetting, and foaming properties.
Why it matters in detailing products: LAS surfactants are the primary cleaning agent in many carpet cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and degreasers. They are effective soil lifters but can leave surfactant residue in carpet fibers if over-applied or insufficiently extracted — a key factor in the resoiling behavior that separates good carpet cleaners from poor ones.
SDS alert: Check Section 3 for CAS 68081-81-2. At concentrations above 10%, expect H315 and H319 classifications. Below 5%, most formulations fall under classification thresholds.
Regulatory status
- Not CA Prop 65 listed
- Listed on TSCA inventory; no specific use restrictions for consumer cleaning products in the US
- EU CLP classification: H318 (serious eye damage) at concentrate; H315 (skin irritation), H319 (eye irritation) at typical use concentrations
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
- 3/5
Common questions about Sodium Benzenesulfonate
- What is Sodium Benzenesulfonate used for in car care?
- Anionic surfactant providing soil emulsification and cleaning action in water-based cleaners
- Is Sodium Benzenesulfonate a VOC?
- No. Sodium Benzenesulfonate is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Sodium Benzenesulfonate on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Sodium Benzenesulfonate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
- Is Sodium Benzenesulfonate biodegradable?
- Yes. Sodium Benzenesulfonate 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.