Triethanolamine

Fact Sheet
Triethanolamine is one of the most commonly traded Schedule 3 chemicals.

By  Cindy Vestergaard Project Co-lead  •  William Marshall Co-Author

Triethanolamine is a commonly traded chemical that is subject to international controls, specifically under Schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).1Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Most Traded Scheduled Chemicals 2022.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/resources/declarations/most-traded-scheduled-chemicals-2022. Schedule 3 encompasses toxic chemicals and their precursors that may be produced in large quantities commercially, for purposes not prohibited under the CWC.2Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “Annex on Chemicals: Guidelines for Schedule 3.” Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/annexes/annex-chemicals/annex-chemicals.

Identifiers

Irritant
Health Hazard
Corrosive

Commercial Uses

Triethanolamine is known by at least 332 different synonyms3National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7618, Triethanolamine, Depositor-Supplied Synonyms. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7618#section=Depositor-Supplied-Synonyms&fullscreen=true. and has many commercial applications, including in automotive, home maintenance, lawn care, personal care, and pet care products.4National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7618, Triethanolamine. Retrieved 3 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Triethanolamine.

The Dual-use Nature

Triethanolamine is also a precursor to the chemical warfare agent HN3, nitrogen mustard capable of inflicting severe burns and blistering.5National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Annotation Record for triethanolamine, Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/893.

Triethanolamine in Trade – Chemical Vendors & International Traders

At Least 50 Worldwide Vendors of Triethanolamine, including Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Distributors.6National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 24387, Phosphorus trichloride, Chemical Vendors. Retrieved 7 February 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7618#section=Chemical-Vendors.

129 Countries Reported Trade in Triethanolamine since 2017.7UN Comtrade Database. Retrieved 31 January 2022, from https://comtrade.un.org. Data encompasses reported trade from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Notes

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