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Q. What is DEA?
A. 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 favorable 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 the FDA?
A. The cosmetics industry is the least regulated industry under
the jurisdiction of the FDA. The FDA can make recommendations but
it 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?
A. 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.
(1) Be sure to rinse off the product thoroughly after use.
(2) Using cold water when shampooing can reduce the amount of
NDEA that is absorbed through your skin.
More…
National
Toxicology Report…press release
Caution-DEA
increases cancer
Petition
to ban DEA
Footnotes:
1 International Agency for Research on Cancer, Monograph on the
Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans: Some
N-Nitroso Compounds 17:77-82, 1978.
2 NTP. Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens. U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology
Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Technical
Resources Inc., Rockville, MD, 1994.
3 Lijinsky, William. Chemistry and Biology of N-Nitroso Compounds.
Cambridge University Press, New York, 1992.
CONTACT:
Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition
c/o University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Public Health, M/C 922
2121 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
epstein@uic.edu
