Nitrosamine

Name:
Nitrosamine
Detailed information:
Any of a series of organic compounds in which ═N—N═O is attached to alkyl or aryl group, e.g., diphenylnitrosamine (C₆H₅)₂NNO or dimethylnitrosamine (CH₃)₂NNO. Such compounds are formed by reaction between an amine and NO_x or nitrites. They occur in many food products, whiskey, herbicides, and cosmetics, as well as in industrial environments such as tanneries, rubber factories, and iron foundries. They are also formed within the body by reaction of amine-containing drugs with the nitrites resulting from bacterial conversion of nitrates. Nitrosamines have been found to be strong carcinogens in laboratory animals.