Are nitrosamines in cosmetics a health hazard?
Are nitrosamines in cosmetics a health hazard?
The nitrosamine of primary concern is N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA).
For many years the FDA has analyzed surveillance samples of cosmetics,
principally those containing DEA and TEA, for NDELA. The levels of
NDELA detected has ranged from less than 30 parts per billion to 150
parts per million.
FDA has urged cosmetic manufacturers to voluntarily remove from cosmetic any ingredient which may combine with others to form NDELA and to conduct additional testing to determine why cosmetics become contaminated with NDELA.
Information currently available does not indicate that NDELA, at the levels detected in cosmetics, is a health hazard.
Source: Excerpted from a response to a 1992 consumer inquiry prepared by a staff person in the Office of Cosmetics and Colors; updated November 1996.