Factories leaned heavily on good old-fashioned soap until the early 20th century. Then oil refineries and new chemical processes started to change cleaning forever. In the 1940s, researchers chasing better detergency stumbled on linear alkylbenzene sulfonates. Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sometimes written as SDBS or LAS, landed in the middle of a post-war boom and changed household cleaning. Unlike soaps made from animal fats, this synthetic surfactant shrugged off hard water. That meant cleaners could get a powerful degreaser that performed well, even where the tap spits out mineral-rich H2O. Within a decade or two, dust from factories mixing up this stuff coated history books and working clothes alike.
Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate isn’t just a name rattled around by industrial chemists — it’s a workhorse surfactant. In everyday talk, this powder finds its way into dish soap, floor cleaner, and even some industrial degreasers. It grabs onto grease and grime, breaking up stubborn bits so water carries them away. The chemical isn’t picky about where it works: homes, hospitals, even in the agricultural sector it gets poured into large-scale cleaning mixtures. Once people realized its flexibility, demand snowballed. Its dry powder form gives players in detergent making an easier time weighing and blending.
You pull back the lid, and this powder looks white or maybe a little creamy, without much smell. A little touch turns soapy between your fingers. Thanks to its long carbon tail and charged sulfonate head, the powder dissolves fast in water, even at room temperature. Once dissolved, it forms micelles that corral dirt and oil so they can wash free. It works best around neutral to slightly alkaline pH. In the presence of calcium or magnesium (common “hard” water compounds), it stays potent, unlike old-fashioned soaps that would leave scum. SDBS stands firm against moderate heat, and it resists breakdown from oxygen in the air. All of these traits make it a go-to ingredient where stability, solubility, and hard water resistance matter.
Depending on what the customer demands, purity clocks in around 90% or higher, with some moisture absorbed from the air. Particle size stays consistent to fit into blending equipment. Labelers flag the right hazard warnings, a good thing for workers carrying bags of this powder around. On large drums, you’ll find supplier names and regulatory compliance codes, snooping in on rules set by chemical oversight groups. Regulators require proper classification under globally harmonized systems. This helps shippers and end users know exactly how to store, transport, and handle it. Analytical labs often check for sulfur content and residual organics to keep shipments trusted and safe for use.
Factories don’t cook up SDBS on a kitchen stove. Big reactors feed in dodecylbenzene, often derived from petroleum. First, chemists treat it with sulfur trioxide gas under exacting controls — too much heat or too little sterility spells disaster. This step attaches a sulfonic acid group to the aromatic ring. There’s a neutralization step, often using caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), that locks the compound in its sodium salt powder form. Some plants tweak ratios or adjust temperature to make sure they hit the sweet spot between activity and shelf stability. Final drying and sieving keep production batches consistent, showing up on specification sheets for every order shipped.
SDBS doesn’t just stop at greasy plates. Chemical minds have spent decades unlocking tweaks, branching or shortening the alkyl chains or adding functional groups to shift its cleaning bite or environmental fate. SDBS stays fairly stable in household conditions but reacts in more extreme chemical environments. Add oxidative agents and you may see breakdown into sulfonic acids and smaller organics. Chain modification opens doors for specialty cleaning or even pharmaceutical use, though that world needs strict quality controls. Water treatment engineers explore modifications for more biodegradable versions, an area of serious research pressure given the spread of alkylbenzene sulfonates in aquatic life.
Chemists never run out of ways to tag SDBS — sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt, LAS, and a stack of trade names depending on the supplier. Some call it SDS (not to be mixed up with sodium dodecyl sulfate) or use internal batch codes for precise version tracking. This sea of names confuses folks new to the business but gives regulators and supply chain managers a paper trail for legal and safety checks. Marketers pitch it to businesses under detergent booster labels, while educators fold it into teaching labs as a classic surfactant.
Not every surfactant lands in safety crosshairs, but SDBS can irritate skin and eyes, so gloves and goggles go on even in small-scale science classrooms. Breathing in the dust day in and day out never comes recommended. Industry standards set up ventilation and personal protective equipment rules. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) detail everything from flammability (low risk) to potential chronic effects for mishandling. GHS and REACH regulations set worker exposure and environmental release caps, which most counties enforce through routine audits. Companies invest in spill containment and washing stations to cover the bases for worker safety and regulatory compliance.
Most households have indirectly met SDBS in laundry powder or kitchen degreasers. Commercial janitors rely on its fast action to cut through food, grease, or industrial residues. Farmers use it to mix up wettable powders and sprays. It shows up in textile production to help rinse, scour, and whiten cloth. In the lab, researchers lean on its ability to disrupt cell membranes when preparing biological samples. More recently, SDBS entered wastewater treatment and oil recovery, prized for breaking up organic contaminants and lifting oil from rock beds. Demand tracks with urbanization and increased industrial cleaning routines, keeping manufacturers swimming in orders.
Chemical research hasn’t left sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate to rest on early laurels. Environmental scientists map its breakdown in rivers and treatment plants, tracking persistent metabolites that sometimes build up in fish. Green chemistry teams explore changes to the molecule that help microbes chew it up faster after disposal. Formulators keep pressing for blends that deliver plenty of cleaning power with fewer harsh side effects for the skin or environment. In labs, SDBS pops up in novel drug delivery research and as a tool in nanoscience, pulling double duty as a cleaning agent and reactant. Academic journals fill up with reports on new uses and tweaks, proof that even an “old” compound remains in play.
Toxicologists have built a large body of evidence on the safety of SDBS for human and ecological health. Direct exposure to highly concentrated powder causes mild to moderate irritation: think red skin or itchy eyes, usually reversible with quick washing. Swallowing isn’t recommended, but no acute toxic effects show up at doses found in household products. The bigger question crops up downstream. SDBS resists initial biological breakdown, showing moderate persistence in aquatic settings. Fish and water plants exposed to heavy concentrations sometimes show stress. Municipal wastewater plants catch and degrade most of it, but traces can sneak through into surface water. Regulatory groups around the world set strict loading limits. Ongoing toxicity research keeps pushing for reformulated variants with better environmental profiles.
Over the next decade, pressure mounts from environmental watchdogs and savvy consumers alike. The detergent and cleaning industry buzzes with demand for biodegradable alternatives and tweaks with lower aquatic toxicity. More sustainable synthesis routes using renewable feedstocks instead of petroleum stand on the research frontier. Some groups explore enzymes and nanotechnology for next-generation cleaners that keep SDBS’s cleaning muscle while lightening its environmental footprint. Meanwhile, tighter regulatory controls nudge companies into transparency about ingredients and disposal practices. Markets in developing countries grow fast, driving both volume demand and expectations for lower impact. If history is any guide, SDBS won’t disappear — it’ll evolve, pulled forward by cleaner chemistry and tougher rules.
Most people have never read the label on a detergent bottle closely enough to see “Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium,” but this chemical has shaped how we clean for decades. It appears as a fine powder that transforms water and soap into real cleaning power. Its main job is as a surfactant—a word frequent in chemistry but easy to understand in practice. Surfactants break down the barriers between oil, dirt, and water. This simple but effective action means stains from food, sweat, or machine grease actually lift and rinse away instead of getting smeared around or locked into fabric and surfaces.
Think about an average household’s cleaning tasks: washing dishes, mopping floors, scrubbing bathrooms, even shampooing pets. Most liquid or powder detergents get more effective and foamy because of Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium. Its ability to create bubbles does more than look satisfying—it suspends dirt in water so it drifts away instead of reattaching. I’ve watched years of laundry stains vanish thanks to this ingredient, especially from work clothes and sportswear that faced stubborn grime. Commercial kitchens, laundromats, and busy auto workshops also rely on heavy-duty detergents boosted by this chemical to tackle residue and oily buildup.
Factories use it well beyond washing. Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium shows up in concrete manufacture, textile processing, and as an emulsifier for pesticides and fertilizers. In industrial cleaners, it thins out grease and lubricants clinging to machinery. Road maintenance crews spray detergents with this compound to remove oil spills and mud from heavy equipment. Painters and printers include it to help dyes spread evenly. Farms need it in certain sprays so that chemicals stick to leaves and roots and do their job instead of sliding off in the next rain. This stretch into agriculture and manufacturing reveals how even a humble cleaning powder threads through major supply chains.
Plenty of people wonder whether repeated exposure poses risks. The powder can irritate eyes or skin on contact, especially if used in high concentrations or without gloves. Laundry factory work left my hands raw after a few months if protective gear slipped. Regulators and watchdogs watch surfactants for water impacts. Wastewater treatment plants remove much of it through breakdown by bacteria, but some residues reach rivers and lakes. High concentrations can affect aquatic life, especially if local water management falls behind modern standards. Cleaner production methods and better sewage systems lessen the risk, but the popularity of this chemical puts pressure on industries to improve.
Workshop owners, homeowners, and farmers benefit from reliable, low-cost cleaning agents. Still, it makes sense to rethink how much and how often these chemicals enter our environment. Picking concentrated laundry powders or liquids cuts down on packaging waste and typically uses less surfactant per wash. Seeking detergents certified for environmental safety supports companies investing in greener chemistry. Keeping tabs on any irritation, using gloves, and minimizing how much drains into yards and stormwater can also help at the level of daily life. In my experience, switching to products marked as “readily biodegradable” has kept laundry just as clean and left me with fewer worries about long-term effects.
Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium powder isn’t likely to get a fan club, but it deserves credit as one of the tools that keeps modern life running smoothly and cleanly. Its widespread use forces everyone—consumers, workers, regulators—to look closer at what safe, sustainable cleaning should mean in practice. Armed with information and new technology, we can keep the benefits of this chemical while pushing for safer manufacturing and smarter daily routines.
Dodecyl benzene sulfonate sodium powder, often labeled as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate or SDBS, shows up in plenty of cleaning products. It helps break up oils and lift grime by acting as a surfactant. You’ll spot it on the back of laundry detergents, dish soaps, and even some household cleaners. This powder’s wide use points to how well it works cleaning up stubborn messes, but anytime a chemical promises strong cleaning, it’s fair to ask about the safety side.
Direct exposure to SDBS in its dry, concentrated form has a reputation for causing irritation. Based on information from consumer safety agencies and health organizations, human skin doesn’t respond kindly to this chemical at raw strength. Manufacturing workers who spend long days handling it sometimes complain of dryness, redness, or itchy patches, especially if protective gloves are missing. It can strip natural oils, leaving your hands feeling rough and uncomfortable.
In diluted concentrations, like those found in commercial dish soaps or laundry liquids, risks go down. Most people use these products safely every day, though anyone with sensitive skin may still notice dryness or a mild rash after frequent use. Some people discover flaky spots or feelings of tightness if their skin barrier already runs on the thin side.
Major health agencies such as the European Chemicals Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulate how much SDBS ends up in cleaning products. Studies show that diluted SDBS rarely causes problems for most adults using it as intended—so washing dishes or laundry poses little risk for the average user. In fact, typical concentrations in consumer products usually sit below the irritating level identified in skin safety studies.
Animal studies and safety tests at high concentrations do indicate potential for burning, peeling, and inflammation. These effects often do not translate to real-life use, but they act as a warning to keep away from the dry, pure powder or very concentrated solutions. In real life, kids who get into cleaning supplies or workers with sweaty gloves on for hours face the greater risk. For most households, standard use carries very low risk, as regulatory bodies review the science and adjust rules to keep things safe.
Practical steps offer protection for both home users and people handling large amounts of products at work. Gloves block direct exposure, and washing skin with plain water if splashed by concentrated powder helps too. In my own cleaning routine, using proper protection made a big difference when I experimented with homemade soap recipes that included this ingredient. I noticed that skipping gloves led to uncomfortable dryness after a few uses, especially in winter when skin seems to crack more easily.
If you have a history of eczema, contact allergies, or other sensitivities, paying attention to product labels helps. Switching to milder detergent formulas, especially those labeled for sensitive skin, may cut back on flare-ups. For workers, routines that include regular breaks to wash up and change gloves can limit exposure and improve comfort.
Most health discussions around this chemical deal with short-term effects like redness or itching. Long-term exposure hasn’t shown cancer risk or links to systemic illness when used at normal household levels. Some companies push for greener alternatives or “plant-based” surfactants to answer concerns about both skin comfort and sustainability. Plant oils or sugar-based surfactants often turn up in newer soaps aiming to be gentle for hands and planet. For those especially sensitive, checking for these gentler replacements can offer peace of mind and fewer worries after cleaning chores.
At first glance, dodecyl benzene sulfonate sodium powder looks like just another bag of white crystals on the warehouse shelf. Plenty of industries, including cleaning product manufacturers and textile processors, rely on it to keep business moving. But ignoring the basics of storage isn’t just careless—it can cut into profits, ruin materials, and threaten safety. Anyone who’s found a caked-up, unusable drum in the back of the warehouse understands this pain.
Moisture always seems harmless until it clumps up your powder and wrecks the flow. Dodecyl benzene sulfonate sodium powder draws moisture right out of the air, going from free-flowing grains to a sticky mess overnight. Any open bag or poorly sealed container spells trouble. Humidity over 60% can accelerate this disaster.
Excess heat deserves just as much attention. Storing anywhere above 40°C (104°F) doesn’t just affect texture—it can cause chemical breakdown over time. Instead of getting a dependable surfactant, you end up with a product that doesn’t perform as expected. I’ve seen companies struggle with off-spec performance and increased customer complaints, simply because of a lack of climate control in their storage rooms.
Air regularly brings trouble too. The oxygen and dust floating in warehouse air find their way into every crevice. Over many months, exposure reduces shelf life and can even spark product recalls. Keeping containers tightly shut as soon as they’re used proves critical.
A reliable process always begins with using containers that seal well. Drums with gasketed lids or strong polyethylene bags inside sturdy boxes stand up to repeated handling. Once product has been opened, it should return immediately to its airtight home. Wiping down the lip of the bag before resealing keeps dirt and ambient moisture out.
Storage areas make a difference, too. A cool, dry space—ideally with a dehumidifier running—keeps humidity low. On rainy days, moisture tends to creep in, and pallets should avoid direct contact with floors or outside walls for exactly this reason. Elevating containers on pallets and away from warehouse doors makes accidents less likely. Even simple racks keep powder off concrete, where condensation gathers in the wrong seasons.
One overlooked aspect involves keeping labels clear. All containers should show the lot number, production date, and product name at all times. Rotating stock—using older batches up first—prevents forgotten powder from turning into waste. In busy environments, skipping regular inspections almost always leads to problems. Scheduling monthly checks for leaks, lumps, and damaged bags means acting before mistakes get expensive.
I’ve watched teams turn entire shipments around just by tightening up storage practices. Using climate-controlled rooms, good shelving, and disciplined labeling improves consistency and keeps surprises at bay. Even making sure employees get a crash course on the hazards and storage methods pays off in fewer slipups. It’s easy to see these steps as overhead, but in my experience, keeping surfactants in peak condition pays back every penny in returns, efficiency, and fewer headaches across the line. Good storage isn’t just about compliance—it’s about keeping things running smoothly in the long run.
Anyone who has worked with cleaning agents or detergents has probably run across dodecyl benzene sulfonate sodium. Some people know it as a white powder, others have dealt with it in its liquid form. Each brings its own set of quirks and conveniences to the table. I remember in my early days in the lab, powder bags lined the back shelves, while liquid drums took up space in the storeroom. The difference goes deeper than just looks — and understanding that gap can make all the difference in picking the right one for the job.
Powder form usually wins on shelf life and stability. Moisture does not mess with it as quickly during storage, which actually means less worry about caking or clumping, as long as storage stays dry. No odd odors start developing over time. Another thing: powder gets lighter and more compact. Handling large volumes on a factory line or in a warehouse, less weight means less muscle work and lower shipping costs. That feeds straight into the bottom line.
There’s the matter of control, too. Dosing powder allows for precision. In a batch mixing environment or for lab work, I’ve found it’s easier to weigh out a scoop of powder than try to measure an exact volume of a sticky, viscous liquid. It might seem like a minor detail, but in large-scale production, those details can add up fast. Fewer spills, less quantity wasted.
Liquid dodecyl benzene sulfonate sodium wins on speed. No need to wait for powder to dissolve, especially in cooler water. No need for specialized equipment to keep dust under control, which matters a lot from a workplace safety point of view. Pouring, pumping, or automated dosing—liquid makes these steps easier. I’ve seen busy bottling lines prefer liquid to keep things moving with fewer jams or messes.
On the other hand, liquid can bring up headaches. Transporting tanks or drums of heavy liquid often means dealing with higher costs. There’s also risk of leaks—not just a mess but also an exposure hazard. Continuous agitation can help keep the blend homogenous, but storing large amounts over months can still lead to separation or spoilage if conditions shift.
Using powder can cut back on certain packaging needs. Large manufacturers with proper dust control, forklifts, and dry storage see obvious benefits. Facilities in humid areas, or with poor seals on storage bins, have to work harder. Clumping or moisture uptake in a bag of powder wastes money and time. Hazardous dust, as anyone in production will tell you, is no joke — inhaling powder can pose real-risk. Investing in airtight systems or proper ventilation becomes a must.
Liquid form fits well in continuous processes and industries relying on precision pumps. Facilities must spend more on leak-proof storage, corrosion-resistant pipes, and quick spill response plans. These extra steps drive up cost, but they save even more in accident prevention. Liquid form also often includes preservatives or stabilizers, which adds to price but can extend working life if cycles of hot and cold storage are common.
Each form has its loyal following. My own line of work made me appreciate the powder’s flexibility in formulating new cleaning products. Others who work with automated factories lean toward liquid for speed and safety. Industry data shows that powder leads in markets with longer supply chains and price-sensitive buyers, while liquid holds ground in high-throughput environments.
For anyone picking between the two, storage conditions, shipping costs, safety policies, production process, and end-use all deserve a hard look. It’s rarely about which one is “better”—it’s about which one matches the situation best.
Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium Powder serves as a common surfactant in cleaning products and industrial applications. This stuff works wonders scrubbing stubborn grit and grime, but it brings a level of risk most folks shouldn’t ignore. As people spend hours in places like warehouses or chemical mixing rooms, every breath and every scoop can matter. My years working with industrial raw materials taught me that not every white powder belongs in the same risk category, and cutting corners just doesn’t pay off.
Dust from Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate rarely hangs around where you want it. No one enjoys sore eyes, cracked hands, or an itchy throat at the end of the day. Contact with eyes can sting like crazy and cause serious irritation. Touching the powder with bare hands over time leads to dry or cracked skin for many. Breathing in the dust creates real respiratory discomfort and, in some cases, triggers lasting sensitivity.
Simple gear makes a world of difference. Well-fitting gloves with a solid cuff block direct hand contact. Chemical goggles or a sturdy face shield protect eyes from both splashes and airborne particles. The right dust mask, ideally a certified particulate respirator, helps stop headaches and coughs before they ever start. Decades of janitors, lab techs, and warehouse staff have solved these problems with the right gear and a little discipline.
Storing Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate without much thought opens up a raft of headaches. Damp rooms or leaky storerooms break down the powder, cause spills, and send fumes into the air. Solid, sealed containers keep the powder where it belongs, away from humidity and accidental knocks. Fumes aren’t the only thing to think about. Stored too close to acids or strong oxidizers, reactions kick up heat and sometimes toxic fumes straight into the workspace.
As someone who’s seen both good and bad setups, I can vouch for dry, cool storerooms with clear labels and zero clutter. Organization means no surprises later. Shelves should have raised sides so nothing slides off onto the ground, where employees would have to scrape it up with unsteady hands. Safety data sheets nailed or tacked up near the storage area remind everyone how to respond if a spill or splash catches them off guard.
There’s no pride in trying to sweep up spills with bare hands or a household broom. Every cleanup demands patience and proper equipment. Personal protective equipment should go on before anyone starts. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter captures fine powder without scattering it. If the area stays dry, the powder cleans up easier, and less dust hangs in the air. Powders swept into trash bags should stay sealed until disposal.
Spills never show up on a schedule. That’s why training staff with hands-on drills and easy-to-follow pictorial instructions pays dividends. In any workspace, a well-stocked spill response kit belongs next to the powder, not buried in some distant supply closet.
Encouraging good habits and repeated safety checks allows everyone to breathe easy—literally. Employers who run routine training and gather feedback spot weak points in their safety protocol. Employees with a voice spot real, practical issues with gloves, storage, or cleanup buckets. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set real standards for chemical handling; following them is straightforward and keeps fines away.
Anyone working with Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate Sodium Powder gains peace of mind by staying alert, sticking to proven storage practices, and using high-quality protective equipment. No one ever regrets staying a bit safer or keeping a sick day at bay.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | sodium 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonate |
| Other names |
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate SDBS Sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate LAS Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdoʊˌdɛs.ɪl bɛnˈziːn sʌlˈfəʊ.neɪt ˈsoʊ.di.əm ˈpaʊ.dər/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 25155-30-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3569482 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:35141 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL255149 |
| ChemSpider | 17720 |
| DrugBank | DB11102 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03-2119434733-47-0002 |
| EC Number | 246-680-4 |
| Gmelin Reference | 11343 |
| KEGG | C19133 |
| MeSH | Dodecylbenzenesulfonates |
| PubChem CID | 24868355 |
| RTECS number | BO3150000 |
| UNII | 6SNR634I2F |
| UN number | “UN3262” |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID8049587 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C18H29NaO3S |
| Molar mass | 326.48 g/mol |
| Appearance | White or light yellow powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.25-0.35 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | 0.3 |
| Acidity (pKa) | pKa ≈ -2.0 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 11 (pKb) |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -5.7e-6 cm³/mol |
| Dipole moment | 5.8 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 420.2 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -693.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -7562 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | C09AA |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes skin and eye irritation. Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye damage. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS05 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H318: Causes serious eye damage. |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P312, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-0-0 |
| Autoignition temperature | > 400°C (752°F) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): >2000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (Oral, Rat): 438 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | WA 8750000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 1 mg/m³ |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid Sodium Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Sodium Xylene Sulfonate |
