Question

PEG400DL, Polyethylene Glycol (400) Dilaurate: Is it harmful to humans? Does it have an impact on the environment?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 PEG400DL,聚乙二醇双月桂酸酯

PEG400DL (Polyethylene Glycol (400) Dilaurate) has good human safety and is classified as a non-hazardous substance; it is low-toxicity to the environment and readily biodegradable, with no significant hazards under normal use.

Detailed Description

PEG400DL (Polyethylene Glycol (400) Dilaurate) is a non-ionic surfactant with excellent safety performance. According to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), this product is classified as a non-hazardous substance, and no statutory hazard pictograms, signal words, or hazard statements are required. Under normal industrial and personal care product use conditions, the product does not pose a significant risk to human health.

In terms of toxicology, PEG400DL has extremely low acute oral toxicity, with a rat LD50 greater than 5,000 mg\/kg, which is considered practically non-toxic. Skin irritation tests (4-hour occlusive patch test in rabbits) show no irritation; the eye shows only mild irritation, and the effect is reversible, recovering within 72 hours. Regarding mutagenicity, the Ames test result is negative, indicating that this product does not pose a genotoxic risk.

In terms of environmental safety, PEG400DL exhibits low toxicity to aquatic organisms, with LC50\/EC50 values for fish and daphnia greater than 100 mg\/L. More importantly, this product is readily biodegradable. According to the OECD 301F standard test, the 28-day degradation rate exceeds 60%, indicating that it will not persist in the environment and meets the environmentally friendly requirements of modern chemicals.

Technical Parameters

Safety Indicator Test Data Conclusion
Acute Oral Toxicity (Rat LD50) > 5,000 mg\/kg Practically Non-toxic
Skin Irritation (Rabbit) No irritation (4-hour occlusive patch test) Safe for Skin
Eye Irritation (Rabbit) Mild irritation, reversible recovery within 72 hours Avoid direct contact with eyes
Mutagenicity (Ames Test) Negative No Genotoxicity
Aquatic Toxicity (Fish\/Daphnia) LC50\/EC50 > 100 mg\/L Low Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms
Biodegradability (OECD 301F) 28-day degradation rate > 60% Readily Biodegradable
Flash Point (Closed Cup Method) > 250 °C Low Fire Risk
GHS Hazard Classification Non-hazardous Substance No Hazard Labeling Required

Application Suggestions

PEG400DL is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products (creams, lotions, shampoos, body washes), industrial cleaners, metalworking fluids, textile auxiliaries, pesticide formulations, and coatings and inks. In these applications, the product is used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and dispersant, and is safe for both humans and the environment at conventional dosage levels.

Precautions

  • Eye Protection: Although eye irritation is mild and reversible, it is still recommended to wear safety glasses conforming to safety standards during operation to prevent liquid splashes into the eyes.
  • Skin Contact: Although it is non-irritating to the skin, it is recommended to wear chemically resistant protective gloves such as nitrile during operation, and thoroughly wash exposed skin after handling.
  • Environmental Control: Although the product is readily biodegradable and has low aquatic toxicity, uncontrolled large-scale release into the environment should still be prevented. Do not discharge the product directly into sewers, surface waters, or soil. Waste should be disposed of by qualified entities in accordance with local regulations.
  • Storage Conditions: Recommended storage temperature is between 5°C and 40°C. Cloudiness or solidification may occur at low temperatures, which is a normal physical phenomenon. After returning to room temperature, it can be stirred evenly and used without affecting product quality.
  • Incompatible Materials: Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and strong acids. Avoid high-temperature decomposition.