I don't know either, but I'd rather stick a finger that smells like a sock in my eye than one covered with all those phenolic amides:-) Dave TLCC > > > >> From: chilehead@tough-love.com > >> the alkaline bleach ionizes the phenolic hydroxyl group in >> the active ingredients, all of which are phenolic amides (e.g., >> dihydrocapciacin), making the compounds water soluble > > I don't know why, but exposure to bleach solution makes the skin of my hands smell like socks later. I learned this as a janitor.