Effect of homolog distribution on the toxicity of alcohol ethoxylates

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Abstract
Previous work established a high correlation between the potential environmental toxicity of oxyethylenated nonionic surfactants and the average degree of ethoxylation. For this reason, it was considered of interest to determine whether a narrow‐ or broad‐range homolog distribution of polydisperse commercial alcohol ethoxylates would influence toxicity. Ethoxylated fatty alcohols, both linear and branched, were synthesized with sodium hydroxide or an unconventional calcium‐based catalyst. Toxicity tests were run onDaphnia magna and luminescent marine bacteria. Toxicity of ethoxylated alcohols as a function of type of ethoxylate homolog distribution (narrow or broad) and average degree of polyaddition is analogous for both test species. However, narrow‐range ethoxylates show lower toxicity values than conventional ethoxylates. Differences in toxicity values between broad‐ and narrow‐range ethoxylates depend on the degree of ethoxylation.

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