TAED—Tetraacetylethylenediamine

Summary

TAED is incorporated into fabric washing powders as a bleach activator. In the wash it undergoes almost quantitative perhydrolysis to diacetylethylenediamine (DAED) and to peracetate, which provides efficient bleaching and hygiene benefits at low wash temperatures. DAED, TAED and Triacetylethylenediamine (TriAED) are readily and completely biodegradable and are substantially removed during sewage treatment. In consequence, levels in the aquatic environment will be very low. It is estimated, for example, that concentrations of DAED in rivers immediately below a treated sewage effluent outfall should be in the range 3–6 μgL^-1, further downstream these levels will fall rapidly. Their toxicity to aquatic organisms and to mammals is also very low, providing large safety margins. The use of TAED in detergents will not therefore result in any adverse effects on the environment or on man.