Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine
- Preservatives
- CAS 4719-04-4
- IUPAC: 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)hexahydro-s-triazine
Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine (CAS 4719-04-4) appears in 2 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is readily biodegradable.
Functions as a formaldehyde-releasing preservative — hydrolyzes in water to release trace formaldehyde. At typical use concentrations in consumer products (0.05–0.3%), formaldehyde release is at low levels. Formaldehyde is a known sensitizer (asthmagen) and Group 1 carcinogen (IARC), but consumer product concentrations are well below regulatory thresholds. Not Prop 65-listed as the triazine itself; formaldehyde release may be relevant if concentration is above 0.05% free formaldehyde at product level — typically not the case in diluted consumer formulas. European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) approved for PT06 (preservatives for products as stored) and PT13 (working or cutting fluid preservatives).
Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine (CAS 4719-04-4), also known as Grotan BK or Hexahydrotriazine HHT, is a formaldehyde-releasing biocide used as a preservative in water-based industrial and consumer cleaning products. It releases formaldehyde slowly under use conditions, which provides antimicrobial activity. At typical consumer product concentrations (0.1–0.3%), total formaldehyde release is well below OSHA and EU regulatory thresholds. It is considered significantly less hazardous than isothiazolinone-based preservatives (CMIT/MIT) and does not carry H317 (skin sensitizer) classification at product level when used at normal concentrations. Not a Prop 65-listed substance. Biodegradable. No aquatic toxicity classification at product-level concentrations. Approved under EU BPR for use in industrial and consumer products.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- no
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- yes
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- no
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 4/5
Common questions about Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine
- What is Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine used for in car care?
- Biocide and preservative — prevents microbial growth in water-based cleaning formulations
- Is Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine a VOC?
- No. Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
- Is Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine biodegradable?
- Yes. Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine has a confirmed biodegradable profile.
2 products contain this
Griot's Garage Plastic All-in-Oneheadlight-restoration
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.