COCAMIDE MEA

Surfactant - Foam Booster; Viscosity Increasing Agent - Aqueous; EMULSIFYING; EMULSION STABILISING; FOAM BOOSTING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING  

SCORE

2

low hazard to moderate hazard depending on product usage

4

 

75%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

AMIDES, COCO, N- (2-HYDROXYETHYL) -; COCO MONOETHANOLAMIDE; COCONUT FATTY ACID MONOETHANOLAMIDE; COCOYL MONOETHANOLAMINE; EQUEX AEM; N- (2-HYDROXYETHYL) COCO FATTY ACID AMIDE; MONOETHANOLAMINE COCONUT ACID AMIDE; N- (2-HYDROXYETHYL) - AMIDES, COCO; COCO N- (2-HYDROXYETHYL) - AMIDES; AMIDES, COCO, N (HYDROXYETHYL) ; AMIDES, COCO, N- (HYDROXYETHYL)


Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
noCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, strongViolations, restrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesContamination concerns - NITROSAMINES
 
See products containing COCAMIDE MEA

About COCAMIDE MEA: Cocamide MEA is a mixture of ethanolamides of Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Acid (q.v.). Itconforms generally to the formula: where RCO- represents the fatty acids derived from Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (q.v.).

COCAMIDE MEA has reported used in the following product types: shampoo (604); body wash/cleanser (331); hair color and bleaching (328); conditioner (116); dandruff/scalp treatment (75); facial cleanser (66); liquid hand soap (62); exfoliant/scrub (52); bubble bath (37); bath oil/salts/soak (20)


Violations, restrictions & warnings

type of concern product conditions reference
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use in products intended to be aerosolized, according to industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) products that may be aerosolized (airborne) Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications   Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
Classified as a low human health priority     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List
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Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be persistent     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List
show more



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCOCAMIDE MEA•Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications
•Distinction between safe conc in leave-on and rinse-off products
•Not safe for use in products intended to be aerosolized, according to industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)
•Amine: forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListAMIDES, COCO, N-(HYDROXYETHYL)•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for as a low human health priority.

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.

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