What is the purpose of triethanolamine in car shampoo or air freshener? what are its uses? what does it do?

want to make my own shampoo and aire freshener. I want to know its effects on shampoo or freshener or liquid detergentWhat is the purpose of triethanolamine in car shampoo or air freshener? what are its uses? what does it do?
Triethanolamine, often abbreviated as TEA, is an organic chemical compound which is both a tertiary amine and a tri-alcohol. A tri-alcohol is a molecule with three hydroxyl groups. Like other amines, triethanolamine acts as a weak base due to the lone pair on the nitrogen atom.





This ingredient is used as a pH balancer in cosmetic preparations in a variety of different products - ranging from skin lotion, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos, shaving foams etc.





As with any amines, it may have the potential to create nitrosamines, but with the low concentrations used in cosmetic products the chances of that happening is very slim and it is further theorized that nitrosamines cannot penetrate the skin.





It is listed under Schedule 3, part B of the Chemical Weapons Convention as it can be used in the manufacture nitrogen mustards.What is the purpose of triethanolamine in car shampoo or air freshener? what are its uses? what does it do?
It smells like something. I Don't know.
Triethanolamine is used as a pH balancer in cosmetic preparations in a variety of different products - ranging from skin lotion, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos, shaving foams etc. It is used widely in transparent soap. It is sometimes listed on the ingredient label as TEA. When used in lotion it acts as a moisturizing agent.





Because this ingredient is an alkanolamine and widely used in cosmetic preparations, there was concern that it may have potential to create nitrosamines and that nitrosamines could penetrate the skin. Three studies were conducted and the final results are as follows:





Evaluation:


There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of triethanolamine.


There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of triethanolamine.





Overall evaluation


Triethanolamine is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).


A description of FDA Group 3 is given below:





Group 3: The agent (mixture or exposure circumstance) is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. This category is used most commonly for agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances for which the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate in humans and inadequate or limited in experimental animals. Exceptionally, agents (mixtures) for which the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate in humans but sufficient in experimental animals may be placed in this category when there is strong evidence that the mechanism of carcinogenicity in experimental animals does not operate in humans. Agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances that do not fall into any other group are also placed in this category.
It dissolves the aromatic oils used as freshner or scent in shampoos. Being an amine, it could be volatile so could also add to the scent of the fresheners and shampoos.