It has been promoted as a useful alkali by amateur photographers. In holography TEA is used to provide a sensitivity boost to silver-halide-based holograms, and also as a swelling agent to color shift holograms. It is possible to get the sensitivity boost without color shift by rinsing out the TEA before squeegee and drying. In electroless plating TEA is now commonly and very effectively used as a complexing agent in electroless plating. In ultrasonic testing 2-3% in water TEA is used as an corrosion inhibitor (anti-rust) agent in immersion ultrasonic testing. In aluminium soldering Triethanolamine, diethanolamine and aminoethylethanolamine are major components of common liquid organic fluxes for the soldering of aluminium alloys using tin-zinc and other tin or lead-based soft solders. Safety and regulation Allergic reactions A 1996 study found that triethanolamine (TEOA) occasionally causes contact allergy. A 2001 study found TEOA in a sunscreen caused an allergic contact dermatitis. A 2007 study found TEOA in ear drops caused a contact allergy. Systemic and respiratory tract (RT) toxicity was analyzed for 28 days in a nose specific inhalation 2008 study in Wistar rats; TEOA seems to be less potent in regard to systemic toxicity and RT irritancy than diethanolamine (DEA). Exposure to TEOA resulted in focal inflammation, starting in single male animals from 20 mg/m3 concentrations. A 2009 study stated that patch test reactions reveal a slight irritant potential instead of a true allergic response in several cases, and also indicated the risk of skin sensitization to TEOA seems to be very low. Tumors Reports indicated that TEOA causes an increased incidence of tumor growth in the liver in female B6C3F1 mice, but not in male mice or in Fischer 344 rats. A 2004 study concluded "TEOA may cause liver tumors in mice via a choline-depletion mode of action and that this effect is likely caused by the inhibition of choline uptake by cells." Environmental toxicity A 2009 study found that TEOA has potential acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity properties in respect to aquatic species. Regulation TEOA is listed under Schedule 3, part B of the Chemical Weapons Convention as it can be used in the manufacture of HN3 nitrogen mustard. See also Complexometric titration Ethanolamine Ethanol Triethanolamine salicylate References Triols Tertiary amines Cosmetics chemicals Tripodal ligands Ethanolamines Concrete admixtures