Baby Safety / Compounds / Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS)

Is Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are exposed to Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What is sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las)?

The IUPAC name is sodium 2-dodecylbenzenesulfonate.

Also known as: sodium 2-dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Abeson nam, Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt, Santomerse 3.

IUPAC name
sodium 2-dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CAS number
25155-30-0
Molecular formula
C18H29NaO3S
Molecular weight
348.5 g/mol
SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCCCC1=CC=CC=C1S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Na+]
PubChem CID
23662403

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are exposed to Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Prenatal exposure to Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) through consumer products may affect fetal development. Surfactant compounds can enhance dermal absorption of co-occurring chemicals during pregnancy.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_REACH2024registeredREACH registered. No SVHC.
US_EPA2024HPV_chemicalEPA High Production Volume chemical

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las)

  • Consumer Products — laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, industrial cleaners

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS):

  • Alkyl polyglucosides (APG)
    Trade-offs: Bio-based (from corn/coconut); mild to skin/eyes; biodegrades rapidly (>99% in 28 days); comparable foaming and cleaning at higher concentration; 15-30% cost premium over SLS; compatible with sensitive-skin formulations.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • MES (methyl ester sulfonates)
    Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Alkyl polyglucosides
    Trade-offs: Bio-based (from corn/coconut); mild to skin/eyes; biodegrades rapidly (>99% in 28 days); comparable foaming and cleaning at higher concentration; 15-30% cost premium over SLS; compatible with sensitive-skin formulations.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • MES
    Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las) safe for kids?

Infants are exposed to Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What products contain sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las)?

Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) appears in: laundry detergent (Consumer products); dish soap (Consumer products).

What should I do if my child is exposed to sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) in the baby app

Look up products containing sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (las), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →