N-nitrosodibutylamine is a yellow, viscous, oily nitrosamine that is highly unstable in light conditions. Nitrosamines are compounds that are formed as a result of the in vivo reaction of nitrite preservatives with amines under acidic conditions during the fermentation of various foods and are grouped as carcinogens.
N-nitrosodibutylamine is ubiquitous in the environment and is a pollutant formed when nitrites (by-waste of nitrogen products) react with ethanolamines in a wide variety of products, including tobacco, pesticides, antifreeze, and personal care products. This substance is used for research purposes only to induce tumors in test animals. The N-nitrosodiethanolamine compound is predicted to be a human carcinogen.
Short-term (acute) exposure to N-nitrosodibutylamine has been associated with liver damage in humans with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and weakness. Long-term (chronic) human exposure to this compound causes liver damage and low platelet counts. Serious liver damage has been observed in animals.
Essentially, millions of people are exposed to n-nitrosamines from various environmental sources every day. N-nitrosamines are mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals and are found in large quantities in tobacco smoke, pacifiers, and dried meats and smoked fish. Furthermore, various over-the-counter medications, food additives, cosmetics, and many agricultural chemicals have been found to contain secondary or tertiary amine or amide groups in their structure that react with nitrite to form nitrosamines. If food contains nitrosamine precursors, nitrosamines can form in the mouth or stomach.
Generally, n-nitrosodibutylamine is used as a research chemical, but it is on the hazardous substance list because it is carcinogenic and mutagenic. Most employers are required to label chemicals in the workplace and provide information and training to employees about chemical hazards and controls. Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated.
Occupational exposure limits for n-nitrosodibutylamine have not been established, but this does not mean that the substance is harmless. Safe work practices should always be followed. A regulated, marked area should be established where this compound is processed, used or stored, and personal protective equipment should be used. The health and safety hazards of n-nitrosodibutylamine should be explained to employees in the workplace.
Our organization also provides n-nitrosodibutylamine analysis services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.
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