Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LAURYL SULFATE, POTASSIUM

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate; surfactant

SYNONYMS

C12-H26-O4-S.K, "sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, potassium salt", "dodecanesulfonic
acid, hydroxy-, potassium", "dodecyl sulfate potassium", "dodecylsulfuric acid
potassium salt", "lauryl sulphate potassium", "lauryl sulfuric acid potassium",
"monododecyl hydrogen sulfate potassium", "potassium lauryl sulfate"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Risk of serious damage to eyes.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Nonionic surfactants may produce localized irritation of the oral or gastrointestinal lining and induce vomiting and mild diarrhea.  Acute potassium poisoning after swallowing is rare, because vomiting usually occurs and renal excretion is fast. Potassium causes a slow, weak pulse, irregularities in heart rhythm, heart block and an eventual fall in blood pressure. Breathing initially becomes faster but the muscles of breathing eventually become paralyzed. There can be loss of appetite, extreme thirst, increased volumes of urine, fever, convulsions and gastric disturbances; death may then occur due to failure of breathing and inflammation of the stomach and bowel.  

EYE

  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Risk of serious damage to eyes.  Non-ionic surfactants can cause numbing of the cornea, which masks discomfort normally caused by other agents and leads to corneal injury. Irritation varies depending on the duration of contact, the nature and concentration of the surfactant.  

SKIN

  Repeated skin contact with some sulfonated surfactants has produced sensitization dermatitis in predisposed individuals.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapor may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Alkyl-substituted sulfonates are thought to induce genetic mutations in cells.