Chapter 1: Anionic surfactants
Secondary alkane sulfonate (SAS)
No badge
The worst fact: the concentrated chemical caused eye damage that hadn't healed after 21 days in an animal test. Like LAS, it doesn't break down without oxygen.
Why brands use it: it's big on foam and cuts grease, which makes it a dishwashing favourite.
Take care if: you get it in your eyes. It isn't a skin allergen.
Comes from: petroleum: paraffins reacted with sulfur dioxide and oxygen under UV light.
Myth check: nil.
Contaminants: nil.
Fair to say: the industry's own risk assessment (HERA) expects no severe or permanent eye damage from household products.
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS): classifications for each chemical and for benzene and ethylene oxide. hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- HERA (Human and Environmental Risk Assessment). Reports on LAS (2013), alcohol ethoxysulfates (AES) and secondary alkane sulfonate (SAS, 2005). heraproject.com
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 1.