Laureth-2
Harm score: 4 (Slightly harmful chemistry)
Laureth-2, which is also referred to as potassium chloride, potassium chloride, sylvin, potassium salt or E508, is a chemical compound used extensively in various areas of industry. It is a colourless, odourless crystalline substance that dissolves well in water and less well in alcohol. It is solid at room temperature, but at elevated temperatures it may change to a liquid or gas.
Laureth-2 is found in a wide range of products that we use every day. It is very often used in the manufacture of cosmetics, where it serves mainly as an emulsifier, which is a substance that allows the mixing of two normally immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. As a result, it is contained in many shampoos, shower gels, creams and make-ups. In the food industry, it acts as a stabiliser and acidity regulator and is often labelled as food additive E508. It can be found, for example, in cheeses, preserves, powdered soups and some beverages. It is also used in medicine, particularly as part of solutions for infusion and injection. The advantage of laureth-2 is its low toxicity, which means that it does not pose a health risk in normal use. However, as with all chemicals, it is important to observe the limits set for its content in individual products.