Surfactants and the environment

Synopsis As a result of their use in detergents and personal products and their subsequent disposal, anionic surfactants may achieve a wide distribution in the environment. It is therefore important to assess the hazard that this use might present to the environment. In order to do this it is necessary to estimate the highest concentrations which are likely to occur at key points in the environment. These estimates may be based on a knowledge of the quantities used and the per capita consumption of water, and take account of the physico-chemical properties, biodegradation and treatability of the surfactant. The margin of safety between these estimates and the lowest concentrations causing adverse effects on sewage treatment operations, aquatic organisms and crops may then be determined. Laboratory studies on linear alkyl benzene sulphonates, primary alkyl sulphates, linear alkyl ether sulphates and secondary alkane sulphonates suggest that their current levels in detergents and personal products present no hazard to the environment. This conclusion is confirmed by the results of environmental monitoring.