C10-16 Pareth is a synthetic compound frequently listed on the ingredient labels of household and personal cleaning products. It is manufactured to serve as a component in industrial and consumer formulations. This compound is part of a larger class of chemicals widely used because of their ability to interact effectively with both water and oil, helping the product achieve its intended cleaning or mixing purpose.
Chemical Identity and Primary Role
The name C10-16 Pareth describes the compound’s chemical structure. The prefix “C10-16” refers to the length of the fatty alcohol chain, indicating a mixture of carbon atoms ranging from 10 to 16. These medium-chain alcohols can originate from natural sources, such as coconut or palm kernel oil, or be synthesized in a lab. The “Pareth” portion signifies that the alcohol has undergone ethoxylation, a process involving reaction with ethylene oxide.
This ethoxylation process creates an ethoxylated alcohol, which functions as a non-ionic surfactant. A surfactant is a surface-active agent that reduces the surface tension between liquids or between a liquid and a solid. In cleaning products, this property allows oil-based dirt and grime to mix with water for rinsing. The Pareth compound also acts as an emulsifier, stabilizing mixtures that would normally separate, and as a foaming agent.
Common Product Applications
C10-16 Pareth is found in products where its cleansing and emulsifying properties are beneficial. Its ability to lower surface tension makes it a common ingredient in laundry detergents, helping lift and suspend soil from fabric fibers. It is also incorporated into hand dishwashing liquids and household surface cleaners, including degreasers, to effectively cut through grease.
The compound is also used extensively in personal care formulations that require lathering and cleansing. This includes shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers, where it aids in removing oils and impurities from the skin and hair. The ingredient enhances the cleaning performance consumers expect from these goods.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
The safety profile of C10-16 Pareth involves direct contact effects and the potential for a manufacturing byproduct. The compound can cause skin and eye irritation, particularly in its concentrated form. Safety review panels have concluded that the substance is safe for use in consumer products when formulated to be non-irritating at its final concentration.
A significant concern tied to all ethoxylated ingredients is the presence of 1,4-dioxane, an unintended byproduct of the manufacturing process. This contaminant is classified as a probable human carcinogen. Reputable manufacturers often employ vacuum stripping to substantially reduce the level of 1,4-dioxane in the final ingredient.
Regulatory bodies, including the FDA, recommend that 1,4-dioxane levels in cosmetics be kept below 10,000 parts per billion (ppb). Monitoring is important because 1,4-dioxane is not required to be listed on ingredient labels. From an environmental standpoint, C10-16 Pareth has a positive biodegradability profile, suggesting it is readily degradable in the environment.