Usages and safety of Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine was considered by a previous IARC Working Group in 2000 ( IARC, 2000 ). Since that time new data have become available, which have been incorporated to this Monograph, and taken into consideration in the present evaluation.
Diethanolamine, often abbreviated as DEA or DEOA, is an organic compound with the formula HN(CH2CH2OH)2. Pure diethanolamine(CAS NO:111-42-2) is a white solid at room temperature, but its tendency to absorb water and to supercool mean it is often encountered as a colorless, viscous liquid. It is polyfunctional, being a secondary amine and a diol. Like other organic amines, diethanolamine acts as a weak base. Reflecting the hydrophilic character of the alcohol groups, DEA is soluble in water. Amides prepared from DEA are often also hydrophilic.
Diethanolamine is widely used in the prepa-ration of diethanolamides and diethanolamine salts of long-chain fatty acids that are formulated into soaps and surfactants used in liquid laundry and dishwashing detergents, cosmetics, sham-poos and hair conditioners. It is also used in the production of lubricants in the textile industry, in industrial gas purifica-tion to remove acid gases and as an emulsifier and dispersing agent in preparations of agri-cultural chemicals.
Diethanolamine is used in metalworking fluids for cutting, stamping and die-casting operations as a corrosion inhibitor. In the production of detergents, cleaners, fabric solvents and metalworking fluids, dietha-nolamine is used for acid neutralization and soil deposition. Aqueous diethanolamine solutions are used as solvents for numerous drugs that are administered intravenously. Shampoos and hair dyes may contain free diethanolamine as a component and/or as a contaminant of fatty acid alkanolamides, generally in the range of 0.2–10% (Bailey, 2007). It is used with sulfolane in the sulfinol process to absorb carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases (NTP, 1999a; Edens & Lochary, 2004; OECD, 2007, 2008 ).
The database for substances in preparations in Nordic countries lists a wide variety of uses of this chemical registered in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. In 2004, 520 preparations containing this chemical, accounting for a total volume of 19 865.8 tonnes, were registered in Denmark. In Norway, Sweden, and Finland, 103 (856.8 tonnes), 307 (459.0 tonnes), and 75 (132.7 tonnes) products were registered, respectively. Use categories included intermediates, cleaning/washing agents, paints, lacquers and varnishes, surface treatments, cutting fluids, pH-regulation agents, impregnation materials, surface-active agents, corrosion inhibitors, process regulators, colouring agents, reprographic agents, lubricants and additives. Its use in consumer preparations was indicated for products registered in Norway and Sweden (SPIN, 2006 ; OECD, 2008).
Diethanolamine is a potential skin irritant in workers sensitized by exposure to water-based metalworking fluids. One study showed that this chemical inhibits in baby mice the absorption of choline, which is necessary for brain development and maintenance; however, a study in humans determined that dermal treatment for 1 month with a commercially available skin lotion containing this chemical resulted in DEA levels that were "far below those concentrations associated with perturbed brain development in the mouse". In a mouse study of chronic exposure to inhaled DEA at high concentrations (above 150 mg/m3), DEA was found to induce body and organ weight changes, clinical and histopathological changes, indicative of mild blood, liver, kidney and testicular systemic toxicity. A 2009 study found that Diethanolamine has potential acute, chronic and subchronic toxicity properties for aquatic species.
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