At the University of North Carolina, Researchers have been carrying out experiments with Diethanolamine (DEA), which is commonly used in personal care products. The experiments were carried out on pregnant mice and it was found out that when DEA is applied on the head of the mice, it interferes with the normal brain development of the offspring.

The research project was carried on by Dr. Steven Zeisel and used 80 mg of DEA, which is relatively low. According to Dr. Zeisel, the results showed that due to perturbed choline metabolism in the liver the ingredient prevented cell growth and increased cell death in an area of the brain used for memory, known as the hippocampus.

The results therefore revealed that DEA can have adverse effects on brain development as well as pregnancy outcomes.

DEA is used for the thickening and wetting of personal care products like shampoos, hairsprays, sunscreens and soaps. DEA interferes with the absorption of the nutrient choline, which is needed for brain development. Choline is required in large quantities during pregnancy so that the mother can pass it on to the fetus.

Zeisel said that more research is being done and at this level and the results should not cause an alarm. But they should surely be taken as a warning and the use of these products should be limited and if using, only the good labels should be used. He said that more evidence is being collected in order to draw final conclusions.

The results of the study were made public in a presentation given by Dr. Zeisel during a teleconference held at the University last Thursday.

The team has also found out the adverse effects of triethanolamine(TEA), which is sometimes used as a substitute for DEA. The research revealed that even TEA perturbed choline metabolism.

DEA is not only found in personal care products, but also in pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

In creams and lotions, DEA is used as a wetting agent and in case of shampoos; it is used for the formulation of thick lather. Out of the total ingredients, 25% is DEA.

US-based International Agency for Research on Cancer told that the ingredient is also said to be a known carcinogen. This only happens when it combines with other cosmetic ingredients to form nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). The agency held that NDEA is absorbed readily by the skin and causes stomach, lever and bladder cancer.

However, no research on the adverse effects of synergistic toxicities has been done by anyone. Synergistic toxicities are when several different chemicals combine in order to multiply their toxic effect.

The body of an average person contains more than 300 synthetic chemicals acquired from foods, drugs and personal care products. The combined effect of these chemicals is entirely unknown.

DEA, found as the major ingredient in personal care products interferes with the absorption of the nutrient choline, which is needed for brain development.