An HPLC-UV method for the direct evaluation of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in some cosmetic products and raw materials.

An HPLC-UV method for evaluating the possible contamination of cosmetic products and raw materials by N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) is described. The usual extraction process is eliminated and the risk introduced by various external factors is minimized. It is clearly shown that NDELA forms readily under certain conditions and that nitrite scavengers have an inhibitory effect on the formation of nitrosamines.