C13 alcohol ethoxylate E-1340 (isotridecanol ethoxylate (13) ether) is a non-ionic surfactant. According to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), this product poses clear health risks to humans. Its acute oral toxicity is low to moderate (rat LD50 300–2000 mg/kg), and accidental ingestion can cause harm. Notably, this product poses a serious eye damage risk (GHS Category 1) that may cause irreversible eye injury; it also has moderate skin irritation, causing redness, swelling, and other reactions upon contact. Based on available data, this product is not a respiratory or skin sensitizer. Personal protective equipment such as protective gloves and goggles must be worn during handling, and the workplace should be well-ventilated.
In terms of the environment, C13 alcohol ethoxylate E-1340 exhibits certain toxicity to aquatic organisms. The fish 96h LC50, Daphnia 48h EC50, and algae 72h EC50 are all in the range of 1–10 mg/L, making it harmful to aquatic organisms with long-lasting effects (GHS Aquatic Chronic Toxicity Category 3). This means that if large quantities are discharged untreated into natural water bodies, it may have adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. However, this product shows greater than 60% ready biodegradability within 28 days (BOD/COD method), indicating that it is readily biodegradable and does not persist in the environment. Moreover, it is not expected to have significant bioaccumulation potential and will not accumulate through the food chain.
Overall, the hazards of C13 alcohol ethoxylate E-1340 to humans and the environment can be controlled within acceptable limits through standard industrial practices with proper handling and effective protective measures. Key risk control points include: avoiding direct skin and eye contact, strictly prohibiting ingestion, and preventing untreated waste liquid from being discharged directly into water environments. Waste disposal should be carried out by qualified professional institutions, and the product should not be discharged into sewers or the environment.
| Toxicological Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Acute Oral Toxicity (Rat, LD50) | 300 – 2000 mg/kg |
| Skin Irritation (Rabbit) | Moderate irritation, causing redness and swelling |
| Eye Damage (Rabbit) | Severe irritation, may cause irreversible eye damage |
| Skin Sensitization | No classification evidence |
| Respiratory Sensitization | No classification evidence |
| Ecological Parameters | |
| Fish Acute Toxicity (96h LC50) | 1 – 10 mg/L |
| Daphnia Acute Toxicity (48h EC50) | 1 – 10 mg/L |
| Algae Acute Toxicity (72h EC50) | 1 – 10 mg/L |
| Ready Biodegradability (28 days) | Greater than 60% (Readily biodegradable) |
| Bioaccumulation | Not significant |
| GHS Hazard Classification | |
| H302 — Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 4) | Harmful if swallowed |
| H315 — Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 2) | Causes skin irritation |
| H318 — Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation (Category 1) | Causes serious eye damage |
| H412 — Aquatic Chronic Toxicity (Category 3) | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
Despite the hazards mentioned above, the value of C13 alcohol ethoxylate E-1340 in industrial formulations cannot be ignored. This product is widely used in textile printing and dyeing, industrial cleaning, leather processing, papermaking, water-based coatings, agrochemicals, metalworking fluids, and emulsion polymerization. At normal use concentrations (e.g., after dilution in formulations), its direct hazard level is significantly reduced. It is recommended that downstream users fully consider the overall safety of the finished product during formulation design and communicate safety information downstream through SDS documents.