AHCES Blog

  What is Quaternium-15? Quaternium-15, also known as 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride and methenamine 3-chloroallylochloride, is a quaternary ammonium salt. Quaternium-15 is used as a surfactant and preservative in many products, including personal care and cosmetics. Quaternium-15 has the CAS Number 4080-31-3. Notable Properties of Quaternium-15 Quaternium-15 is a cream-colored powder when in a concentrated, solid form. Quaternium-15 is soluble in water. When dissolved in water, quaternium-15 releases formaldehyde, which is the active chemical for antimicrobial properties. See the Formaldehyde Safety Guide for more details on formaldehyde specific safety information. What Makes Quaternium-15 Hazardous? Quaternium-15 can be irritating to the skin. There are also indications that quaternium-15 can be a sensitizer, meaning repeated exposure can cause an allergic reaction known as contact dermatitis to develop in some individuals. There is...

    What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate? Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA), also known as lathanol, is an organic compound. It is commonly used as a surfactant in cleaning agents, including hand soaps and bath fizz products. There are also pharmaceutical uses for sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate has the CAS Number 1847-58-1. Notable Properties of Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate is a solid at room temperature, often found in a white power or flake form when purchased in commercial quantities. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate is soluble in water and can also be found in aqueous solution form. What Makes Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate Hazardous? Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, especially when concentrated, can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Repeated skin exposure to aqueous solutions of SLSA, as low as 0.18%, can result in strong skin irritation in some individuals. This irritation is not considered sensitizin...

  What is the Safer Choice Standard? The Safer Choice and Design for the Environment Standard (SCDfES), previously known as the Safer Choice Standard prior to regulatory updates in August 2024, is a regulatory standard by the EPA. This standard sets the requirements that a product and its ingredients must meet to be marked with a "Safer Choice" label or the "DfE" logo. This marking is meant to indicate to consumers that the product and its ingredients are safer for both human health and the environment compared to un-marked alternative products. Brief Introduction to the EPA The EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, an independent agency of the United States government and is not part of any specific department. It was established in 1970. The EPA develops environmental regulations that determine compliance with environmental laws passed on a federal level. These regulations are also enforced by the EPA. The EPA is also instrumental in conducting resea...

  What is Caffeine? Caffeine is a naturally occurring organic compound found in many plants, notably the seeds of the Coffea genus and leaves of Camellia sinensis . Caffeine has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system when consumed and is the most commonly consumed stimulant globally. Caffeine has the CAS Number 58-08-2. Notable Properties of Caffeine Pure caffeine is a solid at room temperature, with white needle-like crystals. Caffeine is soluble in water, as well as ethanol and acetone. What Makes Caffeine Hazardous? Caffeine can be toxic in high doses. This risk is increased when working with larger quantities of pure or highly concentrated caffeine. An oral dose of 18-50 grams has been recorded as lethal to adult humans. For children and animals, the lethal dose can be lower. Symptoms of caffeine overdose can include but are not limited to convulsions, changes in heartrate, excitement, delirium, muscle tremors, and quickened breathing. When solid, c...

  What is Ferric Chloride? Ferric Chloride, also known as iron(III) chloride, is an inorganic compound. It can be readily found in anhydrous (dry) and hydrous (wet) forms, as well as an aqueous solution. Ferric chloride has many uses, including as an agent in water purification and sewage treatment, an etching agent for the production of circuit boards, and as a reagent for other chemical manufacturing. Ferric chloride has the CAS Number 7705-08-0. Notable Properties of Ferric Chloride In solid, crystalline form, anhydrous ferric chloride is brown-black in color and the most common hexahydrate form is orange to yellow in color. In aqueous solution, ferric chloride is brown. What Makes Ferric Chloride Hazardous? Ferric chloride in all forms is acidic. This makes ferric chloride corrosive and an irritant, capable of causing serious irritation and potential burns to the skin and eyes. Breathing in ferric chloride dust or vapors can cause irritation to the respiratory s...

  What is Lauramine Oxide? Lauramine Oxide, also known as lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO) or dodecyldimethylamine oxide (DDAO), is a tertiary amine oxide, a type of organic compound. Lauramine oxide has surfactant properties, which can stabilize foams, making it an ingredient in many cleaning products including glass cleaners, laundry detergents, and hand soaps. Lauramine Oxide has the CAS Number 1643-20-5. Notable Properties of Lauramine Oxide Under normal conditions, lauramine oxide is a crystalline solid. It is a highly hygroscopic substance, meaning it will readily absorb water from the environment around it. It is soluble in water and can also be found in aqueous solutions. What Makes Lauramine Oxide Hazardous? Concentrated lauramine oxide is corrosive, and can cause serious eye damage, skin irritation, and respiratory irritation. Lauramine oxide is also harmful if swallowed, causing both irritation to the mucus membranes and being toxic. In addition to having...