Radiation processing of detergents and possible environmental benefits

Detergents at waters inducing negative changes for biological degradability and water general quality. Some authors have evidenced a considerable amount of anionic surfactant and toxic effects into natural water and effluents related to detergents. The objective of the study was to apply electron irradiation for reducing toxicity, and for degradation of surfactants. To quantify surfactant LAS determination as MBAS (metylene blue active substances) was applied. The capacity of radiation to reduce surfactants was evidenced for real effluent and for water solution containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), separately. An electron beam accelerator (EBA) 1.5 MeV was the radiation source. Anionic surfactant solutions as well as real effluents resulted in less toxic samples after irradiation. Toxicity was evaluated for Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia similis. An important decline of total anionic surfactant was observed after irradiation to doses: 6.0 kGy and 20 kGy (surfactant in water solutions and effluents, respectively). To conclude, EBA irradiations accounted for 88% to 96% less toxic surfactants solutions and effluents and 68% to 96% for MBAS compounds decomposition.