CarCareTruth

Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS)

  • Anionic surfactants
  • CAS 25155-30-0
  • IUPAC: Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate

No chronic health classifications. At high concentrations (product-level) can cause skin and eye irritation. Standard anionic surfactant — risk is contact-based, not systemic.

Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactant widely used in industrial and automotive cleaners. It functions as a wetting agent and emulsifier and is particularly effective in alkaline formulations where it helps dissolve and suspend proteinaceous and fatty soils. At product concentrations (typically 1–10%), it contributes to H314 hazard classifications when the formulation pH is highly alkaline — the pH, not the surfactant alone, drives corrosivity.

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
3/5
Purpose: High-alkaline wetting and emulsification agent; effective at dislodging proteinaceous soils and insect residue at high pH

1 product contain this

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