Toxic Chemical Ingredient | COCAMIDE DEA AND COCAMIDE MEA
What is COCAMIDE DEA AND COCAMIDE MEA
Cocamide DEA (Diethanolamine) and Cocamide MEA (Monoethanolamine) are chemical compounds often used in cosmetics and personal care products as foaming agents and emulsifiers in aqueous cosmetic products like shampoos, face washes, and conditioners. However, there are concerns about their safety. These ingredients can react with other chemicals in cosmetic formulations to form nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. Nitrosamines have been linked to various types of cancer in animal studies, raising questions about their potential risk to human health.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified DEA as possibly carcinogenic to humans, while MEA is not classified as carcinogenic. Despite this classification, the presence of these chemicals and the potential for nitrosamine formation has led to regulatory scrutiny. Some countries have imposed restrictions on their use in cosmetics, and many manufacturers have moved towards alternatives with lower nitrosamine-forming potential. Consumers concerned about these chemicals can look for "DEA-free" or "MEA-free" products to reduce their exposure to potential nitrosamine contaminants.
[Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Toxicology Program, "Cocamide DEA," ntp.niehs.nih.gov, accessed on September 13, 2021]