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The following is personal workspace. Once content is ready, I will migrate it to the appropriate location. I may use this for any number of purposes, but generally it will be used for drafts.
Please to not change the value of this content. If you see a typo or some other small problem, feel free to change this. For anything else, please ask first. Thanks!

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Sodium lauryl sulfate (or Sodium dodecyl sulfate) is a detergent, surfuctant, and foaming agent which is commonly used in a wide variety of cleaning products. It is composed of sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium chloride (table salt). Since it causes skin irritation, it is often ethoxylated (by adding ethylene oxide) to reduce this effect. This results in the similar chemical Sodium laureth sulfate.

Uses

As a cleaning agent, this is effective at penetrating and removing oils. It also helps its solution to spread across a surface. It is commonly added to liquid soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes, mouthwashes, hair color and bleaching agents, body washes and cleansers, make-up foundations, laundry detergents, bath oils/bath salts, stain removers, carpet cleaners, fabric glues, shaving creams, and mascara.
In some cases, this substance is used primarily for its "foaming" ability. Many manufacturers believe (and perhaps correctly) that consumers will like a cleaning product better if it "foams up," since it "really seems to be doing something." After using such products, those without it will tend to look less effective somehow. Sodium lauryl sulfate (or sodium laureth sulfate) is also helpful in liquid foam soap solutions,since they are turned to foam as they are dispensed. This chemical makes it foam much better than it would otherwise.

Toxicology

There are a number of health concerns regarding sodium lauryl sulfate. So far, the only scientifically proven problems it causes are skin irritation, desquamation of oral epithelium (shedding or oral tissue), and increased frequency of aphthous ulcers (canker sores).
Some argue that sodium lauryl sulfate is not a risk as much from a large, brief exposure (such as in laboratory experiments) but rather a small but continued exposure. Problems cause by this kind of risk are hard to track down, and even harder to test in a laboratory.
A common claim against sodium lauryl sulfate is that it is carcinogenic (cancer causing). This has not been scientifically proven, but testing in this area has been minimal. However, when ethylene oxide is added to reduce its irritative properties, the resulting sodium laureth sulfate is suspected to be carcinogenic. The ethylene oxide itself is a carcinogenic substance. Additionally, the ethoxylation process produces the byproduct 1,4 dioxane. This is recognized by the CDC to be "probably carcinogenic to humans," toxic to the brain and central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. As if this were not enough, 1,4 dioxane is also a leading groundwater contaminant.

While many people are not concerned about this chemical, the average dosage is actually surprisingly high. It is easily absorbed through the skin, which is where most of this product is placed. This along with the variety of other chemicals adds up to an shocking amount of absorption. For example, those who use conventional cosmetics on a daily basis, can absorb almost five pounds of chemicals and toxins into their bodies each year!