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Cocamide DEA

  • Nonionic surfactants
  • CAS 68155-07-7
  • IUPAC: Coconut oil, reaction products with diethanolamine

Cocamide DEA (CAS 68155-07-7) appears in 3 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is listed on California's Proposition 65.

California Prop 65 carcinogen (Cocamide DEA, OEHHA 2012). IARC Group 2B classification. Used as a foam booster at low concentrations (0-5%) in consumer products; exposure is typically topical and brief. Considered a DEA-related ingredient with suspected nitrosamine formation potential under certain conditions.

Cocamide DEA is a non-ionic surfactant produced by reacting coconut oil fatty acids with diethanolamine. It functions primarily as a foam booster and viscosity modifier in liquid cleansers, shampoos, and conditioning products. At concentrations of 0–5% in finished consumer products, it contributes to lather and a thicker pour consistency.

The ingredient drew regulatory attention in 2012 when the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added it to the Proposition 65 list of carcinogens, and IARC classified it as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) in 2013. The concern centers on potential nitrosamine formation — DEA-based amides can react with nitrosating agents to form N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA), a known animal carcinogen. The relevance to finished product risk at typical use concentrations is debated, but the Prop 65 listing is established regulatory fact.

EWG and ECHA data indicate aquatic toxicity concerns at elevated concentrations. Not recommended for products intended for aquatic-ecosystem-adjacent use.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
yes
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
yes
Biodegradable
no
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
2/5
Purpose: Foam-booster and viscosity modifier in cleansers and conditioning products

Common questions about Cocamide DEA

What is Cocamide DEA used for in car care?
Foam-booster and viscosity modifier in cleansers and conditioning products
Is Cocamide DEA a VOC?
No. Cocamide DEA is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Cocamide DEA on California's Proposition 65 list?
Yes. Cocamide DEA appears on California's Proposition 65 list.

3 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.