Ethanolamine

Synonyms: Monoethanolamine, MEA

CAS Number: 141-43-5

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79

80 89

90 100

Sources of exposure:

Personal care

Industrial use

Description:

Ethanolamine (MEA) is an organic amine alcohol. It is used to adjust pH in cosmetic formulations. It is also widely used in industrial processes. When combined with certain ingredients, it may contribute to the formation of nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic.

Health concerns:

Genotoxicity

May cause mutations or damage DNA in cells.

Immunotoxicity & Allergens

May impact immune system function or cause allergic reactions.

Irritant

May cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Contaminants:

nitrosamines

Banned/restricted lists:

European Commission Annex III restrictions.

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.