A chemical compound containing two ethanol groups attached to an amino group; used in manufacturing soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.
From 'di-' (two) + 'ethan-' (relating to ethane, a hydrocarbon) + '-ol' (alcohol suffix) + 'amine' (organic compound containing nitrogen). The word is constructed from its chemical structure.
Diethanolamine is in your shampoo, soap, and cosmetics—and in the 1990s, researchers discovered it can form carcinogenic compounds when it reacts with certain preservatives, sparking reformulation across the beauty industry.
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