Diethanolamine (DEA)

CAS Number: 111-42-2

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79

80 89

90 100

Sources of exposure:

personal care

cleaning products and household care

industrial use

Description:

Diethanolamine (DEA) is an ethanolamine compound. It is used as a foaming agent, cleaning agent, and pH adjuster in personal care products and cleaners. When combined with certain ingredients, it may contribute to the formation of nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Organ System Toxicity

May cause organ damage and disease.

Immunotoxicity & Allergens

May impact immune system function or cause allergic reactions.

Respiratory Toxicity & Asthmagens

May damage the lungs or trigger asthma.

Irritant

May cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Ecotoxicity

May be toxic to ecosystems and wildlife.

Contaminants:

nitrosamines

Banned/restricted lists:

European Commission Annex II prohibited substances. Government of Canada. List of Ingredients that are Prohibited for Use in Cosmetic Products.

References

HOW MILLION MARKER SCORES CHEMICALS

Million Marker's Ingredient Hazard Scoring uses multiple chemical databases and a science-backed scoring system to compute hazard scores for thousands of chemicals found in consumer products and listed on ingredient labels.

We identified key chemicals based on a database compiling dozens of authoritative sources, screening tools, and QSAR models.

Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.