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CarCareTruth

Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate

  • Anionic surfactants
  • CAS 68585-34-2
  • IUPAC: Sodium ethoxylated C10-16 alcohol sulfate

Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate (CAS 68585-34-2) 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 concentrated form; well-tolerated at consumer-product working concentrations. No GHS classification as sensitizer, carcinogen, or reproductive toxin. Trace 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylation may trigger California Prop 65 disclosure.

Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate (CAS 68585-34-2) is an ethoxylated anionic surfactant — structurally similar to sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) but with a broader C10–C16 carbon chain distribution. It is commonly used in interior and multi-surface cleaners as the primary anionic surfactant, providing foam, wetting, and dirt-lifting performance. The short ethylene oxide (EO-2) chain is designed to balance foam stability with rinse-off characteristics. As an ethoxylated surfactant, it may contain trace 1,4-dioxane from the manufacturing process, which is why many Chemical Guys products that include it carry a California Prop 65 disclosure for 1,4-dioxane as an impurity.

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
Purpose: Anionic surfactant; primary cleaning and foam agent in interior cleaners

Common questions about Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate

What is Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate used for in car care?
Anionic surfactant; primary cleaning and foam agent in interior cleaners
Is Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate a VOC?
No. Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate biodegradable?
Yes. Sodium C10-16 Pareth-2 Sulfate 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.