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EVERYDAY CHEMICALS: LAURYL Sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as , or more simply abbreviated to SLS) is a chemical found in many cleaning and hygiene products, including , , and bubble baths. These, along with several other uses, are detailed below.

IN IN

HYDROPHILIC (WATER-LOVING) O O PART OF SURFACTANT MOLECULE + H3C O S Na O O O O- n H C S Na+ HYDROPHOBIC (WATER-HATING) 3 - PART OF MOLECULE O O 10 (a common SLS alternative)

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, meaning SLS is added to toothpaste as a ; it also the molecule contains a water-soluble portion and a interacts with taste receptors in the mouth. It suppresses water-insoluble portion. It attaches to oil and grease, sweet receptors and breaks down phospholipids that act suspending them in water and allowing them to be as inhibitors on bitter receptors. Drinking orange juice removed. It also lowers the surface tension of water, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE after brushing your teeth tastes bad, as SLS dulls the acting as a foaming agent and allowing bubbles to form. sweet taste and promotes the bitter. White powder IN ENGINE DEGREASERS AS A POTENTIAL SHARK REPELLENT CH3(CH2)11OSO3Na

O O O O HN HN + H3C S Na O CH O CH O O- 3 3 10 H3C H3C HYDROPHOBIC HYDROPHILIC SEMIOCHEMICALS SHOWN TO HAVE SHARK-REPELLING PROPERTIES

Sodium lauryl sulfate is found in some engine A 2001 study confirmed that sodium lauryl sulfate degreasers, where it acts in a similar capacity to remove acts as a shark repellent, as a result of its hydrophobic grease. Generally it’s present at a higher concentration in properties. Despite this, it does not meet the required these cleaners than it is usually found at in shampoo. It’s criteria for use as a non-directional, cloud-based also used in industry as a leather-softening agent, wool- repellent. Semiochemicals and rare earth metal magnets cleaning agent, and as a floor cleaner. have both been suggested as better alternatives.

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