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Allergenic activity of an air‐oxidized ethoxylated surfactant
Author(s) -
Karlberg AnnTherese,
Bodin Anna,
Matura Mihaly
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2003.0235.x
Subject(s) - autoxidation , pulmonary surfactant , chemistry , cosmetics , organic chemistry , shampoo , ethylene oxide , emulsion , polyethylene glycol , ether , dodecanol , polyvinyl alcohol , chromatography , polymer , biochemistry , copolymer
Ethoxylated surfactants are used in household and industrial cleaners, topical pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and laundry products. Polyethers, e.g. ethoxylated surfactants and polyethylene glycols, are oxidized by atmospheric oxygen (autoxidized) when stored and handled. We have previously shown that a chemically well‐defined non‐ionic surfactant, the ethoxylated alcohol penta‐ethylene glycol mono‐ n ‐dodecyl ether (C 12 E 5 ), forms a complex mixture of autoxidation products when exposed to air. Predictive testing in guinea pigs showed that the surfactant itself is a non‐sensitizer, but that oxidation products formed are skin sensitizers. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitizing capacity of a total oxidation mixture of C 12 E 5 obtained after autoxidation. The allergenic activity of different oxidation products is discussed as well as the clinical importance of the findings. This study shows that the non‐ionic surfactant C 12 E 5 containing 20% oxidation products is a sensitizing mixture. The result accords with what is observed for other compounds that are unstable when in contact with air, e.g. limonene and linalool, major fragrance terpenes. Studies regarding the clinical relevance of our findings should be performed. However, it is already clear from this study that precautions must be taken in handling and storage of ethoxylated surfactants to avoid formation of allergenic mixtures.