CarCareTruth

Sodium C10-16 Benzenesulfonate (LAS)

  • Anionic surfactants
  • CAS 68081-81-2
  • IUPAC: sodium (C10-C16)alkylbenzenesulfonate

Mild skin irritant at concentrate; low oral toxicity (LD50 ~1,400 mg/kg in rabbits). Eye irritation Cat 2A possible at concentrate. At typical consumer dilutions, low hazard. No asthmagen or Prop 65 listing.

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in the C10–C16 carbon chain range is one of the most widely used anionic surfactants in consumer cleaning products. In car wash formulations, it is the primary cleaning and foam-generating agent. It is readily biodegradable and not bioaccumulative. Aquatic toxicity is moderate at concentrate but at typical consumer wash dilutions (1–2 oz per 5-gallon bucket = approximately 0.1–0.2% use strength), environmental risk is low. LAS is not on the Prop 65 list and has no asthmagen classification.

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
4/5
Purpose: Primary anionic surfactant — cleaning, foam generation, and soil emulsification in car wash soaps

No products on file contain this (yet)

Health summaries are editorial — we synthesize from SDSs, peer-reviewed sources, and regulatory listings. Not medical advice.