What is DEA?
Diethanolamine or DEA is a very common ingredient (wetting agent) used in Shampoos, Conditioners, Skin Care Products, Creams, Lotions and other personal care products.
DEA is also found in some pesticide products.
Products that contain DEA, may cause cancer due to a reaction between DEA and other ingredients in the cosmetic that combine to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a very potent carcinogen.
Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked toesophagus, liver, stomach, and bladder cancers.
DEA is:
- Moderately toxic if swallowed
- Moderately toxic when absorbed through the skin
- The effects from inhalation are unknown
- Considered an Unclassifiable Carcinogen
- An allergen
- A skin and eye irritant
- May cause kidney or liver tumors (indicated in animal testing)
- Has been shown to cause damage to the testicles, reduced sperm activity, and effects on the liver, kidney, bone marrow, brain, spinal cord and skin in animals
- Is an immunotoxin
DEA can be absorbed into the blood stream through the skin when using shampoos, creams and other products that contain it as an ingredient.
DEA may be inhaled when pesticides are used.
DEA is used a a solvent in some drugs that are administered intravenously.
How do I know if DEA is in products that I use?
Remember the three letters – DEA, TEA, MEA.
Read product labels. On your personal care products, look for:
- DEA
- Diethanolamine
- Cocamide DEA
- Cocamide MEA
- DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
- DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
- Lauramide DEA
- Linoleamide MEA
- Myristamide DEA
- Oleamide DEA
- Stearamide MEA
- TEA or Triethanolamine
- TEA-Lauryl Sulfate.
It is wise to remember that these ingredients may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are a potentially cancer-causing byproduct of DEA.
How do I minimise my exposure and my family’s exposure to DEA? Here are three simple steps:
- Throw all the products you in the home that contain DEA in the rubbish.
- Source more natural safe personal care products that do not contain harmful ingredients, such as Neways Products
- Vote with your $$$ – it’s the only thing these companies with no regard for your health or the health of the planet will listen to.
This is only one of many potentially harmful chemicals used every day in personal care products. Get wise. Buy products that won’t harm your health from companies that are doing the right thing.
