Question

Is Polyoxyethylene Stearate SG-6 harmful to the human body? Does it have an impact on the environment?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 硬脂酸聚氧乙烯醚SG-6

Polyoxyethylene Stearate SG-6 is a low-toxicity, non-irritating safe chemical that is environmentally friendly, readily biodegradable, and has no risk of bioaccumulation.

Detailed Description

Polyoxyethylene Stearate SG-6 (PEG-6 Stearate) is a nonionic surfactant produced by Guoli Chemical. Comprehensive toxicological evaluations indicate that its risk to human health is extremely low. This product has passed multiple standardized toxicological tests and does not pose significant harm to humans under normal industrial and cosmetic use conditions. It is a green chemical product that aligns with current environmental protection and sustainable development trends in the industry.

In terms of human safety, SG-6 exhibits excellent skin compatibility—a 4-hour closed patch test on rabbits showed a Primary Irritation Index (PII) of less than 0.5, classifying it as non-irritating; a guinea pig skin sensitization test yielded a sensitization rate of 0%, confirming no sensitizing potential. The only point of caution is ocular contact: rabbit tests indicated possible mild reversible irritation (e.g., conjunctival redness, edema), but recovery occurs within a few days without permanent damage. The acute oral toxicity LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg (rats), classifying it as low toxicity.

Regarding environmental impact, SG-6 exhibits outstanding eco-friendly characteristics. Aquatic toxicity tests show: fish 96h LC50, Daphnia 48h EC50, and algae 72h ErC50 are all greater than 100 mg/L, indicating low aquatic toxicity. More importantly, according to OECD 301B standards, the product achieves over 60% biodegradation within 28 days, making it readily biodegradable. Once released into the environment, it can be naturally decomposed by microorganisms, has no bioaccumulation potential, and has very low impact on aquatic ecosystems.

Technical Parameters

Safety IndicatorTest ResultConclusion
Acute Oral Toxicity (Rat)LD50 > 2000 mg/kgLow Toxicity
Skin Irritation (Rabbit, 4h closed)PII < 0.5Non-irritating
Eye Irritation (Rabbit)Mild redness, edemaMild reversible irritation, recovery in days
Skin Sensitization (Guinea Pig)Sensitization rate 0%No sensitizing potential
Fish Acute Toxicity (96h LC50)> 100 mg/LLow aquatic toxicity
Biodegradability (OECD 301B, 28 days)> 60%Readily biodegradable
BioaccumulationNo bioaccumulation potential
Flash Point (Closed Cup)> 150°CNon-flammable

Application Recommendations

Given the favorable safety profile of SG-6, it is widely used in areas involving direct or indirect human contact:

  • Cosmetics Industry: As an emulsifier and solubilizer in creams and lotions, it can be directly used in skincare formulations with no irritation risk, providing a light skin feel.
  • Textile Industry: Used as a softening and antistatic agent for fabric treatment; treated fabrics are safe for skin contact, enhancing wearing comfort.
  • Pesticide Formulations: As an emulsifier, its low ecological toxicity ensures no additional burden on agricultural ecosystems.
  • Industrial Cleaning & Metalworking: Waste fluids can be biodegraded after treatment, reducing environmental compliance pressure from industrial emissions.

Precautions

  • Eye Protection: When handling, it is recommended to wear chemical safety goggles to avoid dust or solution splashing into eyes. In case of accidental eye contact, immediately rinse with flowing water or physiological saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
  • General Protection: Thoroughly wash hands and any skin contact areas after handling. Maintain good ventilation in the workplace.
  • Storage Conditions: Store at temperatures between 15°C and 35°C, keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination, and keep away from strong oxidizers and strong acids/alkalis.
  • Waste Disposal: Although it is readily biodegradable, spilled material should still be collected and disposed of in accordance with local environmental regulations. Avoid direct discharge into water bodies.
  • Non-flammable, but thermal decomposition may produce fumes such as CO and CO₂. Firefighters should wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when extinguishing fires.