Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Profile

Abstract

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an anionic surfactant commonly used in detergents and cleaning products. While widely used in pesticide formulations as a surfactant and dispersant, SLS is usually an inert ingredient or used in combination with other ingredients, most of which are ineligible for use in minimum-risk pesticides. SLS has some antimicrobial activity but is more often a synergist used with other antimicrobial active ingredients. When currently required label instructions on products containing SLS are followed, the EPA did not find any unreasonable adverse effects to the U.S. population.