Airborne toxicity of a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant and wetting agent used in cleaning chemicals

Information on the bioactivity of the surfactants present in cleaning chemicals and their effect on the indoor ecosystems of buildings are needed to provide safe cleaning practices and healthy indoor air. In this study, in vitro (murine neuroblastoma cells and porcine kidney epithelial cells) and ex vivo bioassays (boar sperm) were developed to measure the airborne toxicity of genapol X-080 (polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers), used as surfactant and wetting agent in indoor environments. The diffusion and toxicity of airborne genapol X-080 dilutions were demonstrated using two-compartment Petri dishes. Resazurin was also added, to test airborne diffusion of genapol X-080. This preliminary method proved that airborne diffusion of genapol X-080 was possible and toxic toward mammalian cells. Moreover, the ex vivo bioassays were ten times more sensitive. The resazurin + genapol X-080 test showed potential for developing a new and easy method to track the airborne diffusion of polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers used in buildings.