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Sodium Pyrithione

  • Biocides
  • CAS 15922-78-8
  • IUPAC: Sodium 1-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione

Sodium Pyrithione (CAS 15922-78-8) appears in 7 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026).

H400 (acute aquatic Cat 1) at ingredient level. Used as a biocidal preservative at low concentrations (<1%) in cosmetic and cleaning formulas. Below mixture GHS classification thresholds at typical use concentrations.

Sodium pyrithione (CAS 15922-78-8) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative used in cleaning products, personal care items, and coating formulations. It is the sodium salt form of pyrithione and is effective against bacteria, fungi, and algae.

At ingredient level it carries H400 (acute aquatic toxicity Cat 1), making it a meaningful aquatic hazard signal even at the low concentrations (<5%) used in consumer formulas. Products containing sodium pyrithione should not be rinsed into storm drains. At typical use concentrations in cleaning products, the mixture-level SDS generally does not classify aquatic hazard codes, but the ingredient flag is relevant for environmental scoring.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
yes
Biodegradable
no
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
3/5
Purpose: Biocidal preservative (antifungal/antibacterial)

Common questions about Sodium Pyrithione

What is Sodium Pyrithione used for in car care?
Biocidal preservative (antifungal/antibacterial)
Is Sodium Pyrithione a VOC?
No. Sodium Pyrithione is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Sodium Pyrithione on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Sodium Pyrithione is not on California's Proposition 65 list.

7 products 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.