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4934953 
Journal Article 
Final report on the safety assessment of sodium alpha-olefin sulfonates 
Nair, B; Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel 
1998 
Yes 
International Journal of Toxicology
ISSN: 1091-5818
EISSN: 1092-874X 
17 
39-65 
WOS:000078238100004 
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C12-14 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate, and Sodium C16-18 Olefin Sulfonate are the Sodium alpha-Olefin Sulfonates used in cosmetics as surfactant-cleansing agents. The highest concentration reportedly is 16% in shampoos and bath and shower products. These ingredients are a mixture of long-chain sulfonate salts prepared by sulfonation of alpha-olefins of various carbon chain lengths noted as subscripts. In the manufacture of these ingredients, delta and gamma sultones may be produced. Sodium alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are poorly absorbed through normal skin, but are significantly absorbed through damaged skin. Acute oral LD50 values were 1.3-2.4 g/kg in. rats and 2.5-4.3 g/kg in mice. Short-term toxicity studies using rats showed no consistent effects, even with exposures in the 0.5-1.0 g/kg range. Concentrations above 10% produced moderate ocular irritation and a concentration of 5% produced mild ocular irritation in rabbits. In reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, fetal abnormalities were noted, but only at doses that were maternally toxic Genotoxicity data were mostly negative and oral and dermal carcinogenicity studies were negative. Various animal and clinical studies found irritation and sensitization. Sensitization was attributed to low level gamma sultone residues. Because gamma sultones are demonstrated sensitizers at very low levels, it was concluded that any product containing Sodium alpha-Olefin Sulfonates should have very little gamma sultone residues. The gamma sultone levels should not exceed 10 ppm for saturated (alkane) sultones, 1 ppm for chlorosultones, and 0.1 ppm for unsaturated sultones. Sodium alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are otherwise considered safe for use in rinse-off products. Based on concerns about irritation, were Sodium alpha-Olefin Sulfonates to be used in leave-on products it was concluded that concentrations should not exceed 2% for such uses.