Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Singer, M M, Tjeerdema, R S, Singer, Michael M., Tjeerdema, Ronald S.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate is the most widely used of the anionic alkyl sulfate surfactants. Its surface-active properties make it important in hundreds of household and industrial cleaners, personal care products, and cosmetics. It is also used in several types of industrial manufacturing processes, as a delivery aid in pharmaceuticals, and in biochemical research involving electrophoresis. SDS synthesis is a relatively simple process involving the sulfation of 1-dodecanol followed by neutralization with a cation source. Purification is accomplished through repeated extraction. It is available commercially in both broad-cut and purified forms. Although its environmental occurrence arises mainly from its presence in complex domestic and industrial effluents, SDS is also directly released in some applications (e.g., oil dispersants and pesticides). Although surfactants are known to significantly contribute to the toxicity of some effluents, no official water quality standards currently exist. Research has shown SDS to be highly biodegradable by a large number of naturally occurring bacteria, and degradation is generally reported to be > or = 90% within 24 hr. The process involves initial enzymatic sulfate liberation and conversion to dodecanoic acid, followed by either beta-oxidative shortening or elongation and desaturation. All surfactant properties are lost after initial sulfate hydrolysis. SDS can enhance absorption of chemicals through skin, gastrointestinal mucosa, and other mucous membranes. Thus, it is used in transepidermal, nasal, and ocular drug delivery systems and to enhance the intestinal absorption of poorly absorbed drugs; enhancement is concentration dependent. Human exposure is mainly through oral ingestion and dermal contact, although cases of respiratory exposure are known. The main sources of daily intake are ingestion of personal care products, residues on insufficiently rinsed utensils, and contaminated drinking water. Uptake, distribution, and excretion of SDS are all rapid. In fish, uptake in various tissues plateaus within 24-72 hr, with elimination occurring within < 24-48 hr; selective accumulation occurs in the hepatopancreas and gall bladder. In mammals, it is readily absorbed via the intestine, colon, and skin. Metabolism is similar in fish and mammals, proceeding from initial omega-oxidation to a carboxylic acid, then to beta-oxidation to butyric acid 4-sulfate, which is finally nonenzymatically desulfurated to gamma-butyrolactone and inorganic sulfate. SDS elicits both physical and biochemical effects on cells, with the membrane the primary target structure. Effects are concentration dependent and range from loss of barrier function and increased permeability to complete cell lysis. Hemolysis in mammals is pH dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)