NBC Bay Area Staff
August 27, 2013

The Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Tuesday against four companies after tests found a cancer-causing chemical in personal care products.

CEH bought products online and at Bay Area retailers, and found 98 products tested positive for the chemical and had no warning labels.

  • Click here for a list of the 98 products

The chemical, cocamide diethanolamine, is a chemically modified form of coconut oil. It is used as a thickening or foaming agent in products like shampoo, liquid soaps, body wash and bubble bath.

Manufacturers are required to put a warning on the label on products containing the chemical.

The suit asks for $2,500 for every day the companies named in the suit – which includes Walgreen’s – are in violation.

  • Click here to download the complaint