Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comment on “Degradation of Two Persistent Surfactants by UV-Enhanced Ozonation”

  • Letter to the Editor
  • Published:
Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

In a recent issue of this journal, Tehrani-Bagha et al. (J Surf Deterg 15:59–66, 2012) state that sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, more commonly known as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is a “persistent surfactant” that demonstrates “low biodegradability.” Tehrani-Bagha et al. further imply that LAS has “harmful effects” on the environment, causing “serious environmental pollution.” This comment reviews some of the extensive literature available on LAS including five environmental assessments which concluded that LAS is of low concern and not a risk to the environment. Published studies and reviews report that LAS passes stringent laboratory tests designed to measure ready biodegradability and demonstrates rapid biodegradation in both laboratory and field studies. These studies and assessments contradict the statements made about LAS in the Tehrani-Bagha et al. paper.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. Additional information on CLER may be found at: www.cler.com/.

  2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was the lead agency. An international consortium of LAS supplier and detergent companies worked with EPA in producing the assessment.

  3. Additional information on the HERA Project, A.I.S.E. and Cefic may be found at the HERA Project website: http://www.heraproject.com/.

  4. Extensive information on the REACH program is available at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website: http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/regulations/reach.

  5. The self-reported classification and labeling for all substances registered for REACH, including LAS, may be seen at the REACH website: http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database.

References

  1. Tehrani-Bagha AR, Nikkar H, Menger FM, Holmberg K (2012) Degradation of two persistent surfactants by UV-enhanced ozonation. J Surf Deterg 15:59–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Cserháti T, Forgács E, Oros G (2002) Biological activity and environmental impact of anionic surfactants. Environ Int 28:337–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Serrano LI, Velasco CAP, Malagón ASC (2011) Ultimate biodegradation of commercial linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) under ISO 14593 headspace CO2 test: compliance with EU Detergent Regulation 648/2004. Tenside Surf Det 48:390–394

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Larson RJ, Rothgeb TM, Shimp RJ, Ward TE, Ventullo RM (1989) Kinetics and practical significance of biodegradation of LAS in the environment. J Am Oil Chem Soc 70:645–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. OECD (2005) Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). SIDS initial assessment report for 20th SIAM, UNEP Publications

  6. Van de Plassche EJ, de Braijn JHM, Stephenson RR, Marshall SJ, Feijtel TCJ, Belanger SE (1999) Predicted no-effect concentrations and risk characterizations of four surfactants: linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylated sulfates, and soap. Environ Toxicol Chem 18:2653–2663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. HERA (2009) LAS. Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate. Human & environmental risk assessment on ingredients of European household cleaning products. June 2009. Version 4.0. Available at: http://www.heraproject.com/files/48-F-HERA_LAS_Report_(Version_4_-_June_09).pdf

  8. Dyer SD, Peng C, McAvoy DC, Fendinger NJ, Masscheleyn P, Castillo LV, Lim JMU (2003) The influence of untreated wastewater to aquatic communities in the Balatuin River, The Philippines. Chemosphere 52:43–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. McAvoy DC, Masscheleyn P, Peng C, Morrall SW, Casilla AB, Lim JMU, Gregorio EG (2003) Risk assessment approach for untreated wastewater using the QUAL2E water quality model. Chemosphere 52:55–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Field JA, Leenheer JA, Thorn KA, Barber LB II, Rostad C, Macalady DL, Daniel SR (1992) Identification of persistent anionic surfactant-derived chemicals in sewage effluent and groundwater. J Contam Hydrol 9:55–78

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Field JA, Barber LB II, Thurman EM, Moore BL, Lawrence DL, Peake DA (1992) Fate of Alkylbenzenesulfonates and dialkyltetralinsulfonates in sewage-contaminated groundwater. Environ Sci Technol 26:1140–1146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Larson RJ, Federle TW, Shimp RJ, Ventullo RM (1989) Behaviour of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in soil infiltration and groundwater. Tenside Surf Det 26:116–121

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Council of LAB/LAS Environmental Research (CLER), 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20045, USA

    John E. Heinze

Authors
  1. John E. Heinze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John E. Heinze.

About this article

Cite this article

Heinze, J.E. Comment on “Degradation of Two Persistent Surfactants by UV-Enhanced Ozonation”. J Surfact Deterg 15, 815–818 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-012-1367-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-012-1367-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation