Use. Diethanolamine is widely used in the preparation of diethanolamides and diethanolamine salts of long-chain fatty acids that are formulated into soaps and surfactants used in liquid laundry and dishwashing detergents, cosmetics, shampoos and hair conditioners.
Diethanolamine is a white, crystalline (sand-like) solid or a colorless to yellow, syrupy liquid with a mild Ammonia-like odor. It is used in specialty textiles, weed killers, detergents, shampoos, paints and metal-working fluids.
DEA produced a dose-dependent decrease (58%) in the antibody-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes at an 800 mg kg−1 exposure level.