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Diethanolamine (DEA): Carcinogenic Ingredient in Cosmetics & Personal Products. Before we go any further, let me make it clean, RTS Hand Soaps are DEA and nitrosamines free.

Q. What is DEA?

DEA is diethanolamine, a chemical that is used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. DEA is used widely because it provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favourable consistency in lotions and creams.

DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the stores shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), "There is sufficient evidence of a carcinogenic effect of N-nitrosodiethanolamine."

1: IARC recommends that NDEA should be treated as if it were a carcinogen in humans. The National Toxicology Program similarly concluded: "There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in experimental animals.”

2: Of over 44 different species in which N-nitroso compounds have been tested, all have been susceptible.

3: Humans are most unlikely to be the only exception to this trend.

Q. Why isn't this chemical regulated by Health Canada in Canada or by FDA in US?

The cosmetics industry is the least regulated industry under the jurisdiction of the FDA and Health Canada. Either of this organization can make recommendations but they has very little power to enforce them. In 1979 the FDA ordered industry to eliminate NDEA from their products. In 1992, the FDA tested 12 products for NDEA contamination and found that 8 of them still contained this potent carcinogen. While levels have been reduced, there is still an avoidable risk of cancer when nitrosamine contaminated products are used. Even small amounts of this potent carcinogen can increase the risk of cancer.

Q. Which products should I avoid to eliminate exposure to NDEA?

This is perhaps the biggest concern with the cosmetics industry. Consumers have a right to know about the dangers of products they purchase. To date, there is no way of knowing whether a particular cosmetic has been contaminated with NDEA. The best approximation is determining whether the cosmetic contains DEA. The following cosmetic ingredients are among those contaminated with DEA:

Cocamide DEA or Cocamide Diethanolamine
DEA Lauryl Sulfate or Diethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate
Lauramide DEA or Lauramide Diethanolamine
Linoleamide DEA or Linoleamide Diethanolamine
Oleamide DEA or Oleamide Diethanolamine
Any product containing TEA or Triethanolamine

If you are unable to avoid products containing these ingredients, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from cancer risks.

Be sure to rinse off the product thoroughly after use and using cold water when shampooing or washing your hand can reduce the amount of NDEA that is absorbed through your skin.

Concerns on cancer risks from cosmetics  products are emphasized by: lifelong use of multiple products by the majority of the North American population; the ready skin absorption of carcinogenic ingredients, further increased by detergents, especially when left on the skin for prolonged periods.

You as a consumer, armed with the above information, you should protect yourselves by shopping for safe alternative products. Our soup at RTS DEA and nitrosamines free.