Chapter 2: Other surfactants · Part 1: Non-ionic surfactants
Alcohol ethoxylates
- Made from a hazardous chemical
- Contaminant risk
The worst fact: in detergent capsule poisonings, non-ionic surfactants like these are "the primary mechanism" of harm. Capsules typically hold 10 to 20% of them. A 2019 review counted 17 deaths from capsule exposures (not attributed to any one ingredient); 13 were adults, and 9 had cognitive impairment.
Why brands use it: it lifts greasy and oily dirt. In the EU, typical levels are up to 13.5% in regular laundry detergent, 24% in compact laundry detergent, 7% in surface cleaners and 5% in dishwashing liquid. Australia's regulator cited overseas data showing cleaning and washing agents with up to 50%.
Take care if: it could splash in your eyes, or you have small children or someone with cognitive impairment at home. Australia classes it as "Harmful if swallowed; Causes skin irritation; Causes serious eye damage". Undiluted laundry liquid with 15 to 24% is expected to cause mild to moderate eye irritation that fully reverses.
Comes from: fatty alcohols (from plant oils or petrochemicals) reacted with ethylene oxide. Australia classes ethylene oxide as "May cause genetic defects; May cause cancer". That doesn't mean it's in the product, but it's not a great starting point for something you clean with.
Myth check: "Synthetic surfactants linger in the environment": not these. The ones used in household cleaners are "readily biodegradable".
Contaminants: 1,4-dioxane (Australia: "May cause cancer"), controlled by the Poisons Standard, which requires poison labelling above 100 ppm; and leftover ethylene oxide, at up to 10 ppm in the raw surfactant, according to one report cited by industry. They're unlikely in a well-made product, but it's a factor you can't see on the label.
Fair to say: an EU industry assessment found "no evidence for AEs being genotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic", and that "AEs are not contact sensitizers". They're the usual replacement for nonylphenol ethoxylates (below).
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS): classifications for alcohol ethoxylates, C10-12 alcohol EO/PO, cocamidopropyl betaine, nonylphenol, DODMAC, and for ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, dimethyl sulfate, methyl chloride, benzyl chloride, epichlorohydrin, DMAPA, monochloroacetic acid and 1,4-dioxane.
- NICNAS/AICIS. IMAP Tier II assessments: ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols (2019); alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols (2020); nonylphenols; nonylphenol ethoxylate sulfate and phosphate esters (environment, 2016); cationic surfactants; mono- and dialkyl quaternary ammonium compounds (environment, 2016); cocamidopropyl betaine; fatty acid amidopropyl dimethylamines. Public reports STD/1386 (esterquat, 2011) and STD/1363 (lauryl hydroxysultaine).
- HERA. Alcohol ethoxylates (2009); esterquats (environment 2008, human health 2009); cocamidopropyl betaine (2005); fatty acid salts (2002).
- Day R et al. Laundry detergent capsules and pods: a review of their emerging toxicity. Clin Toxicol 2019.
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 2.