Nitrosamines

Updated: February 8th, 2010

*QUESTIONS*	*ANSWERS*
*What is this chemical?*	Nitrosamines form when certain proteins such as diethanolamine (DEA), or triethanolamine (TEA), common additives used to adjust the pH or act as wetting agents, are used in the same products as preservatives that can break down into nitrates. As these various compounds break down over time, they can recombine into nitrosamines.
*What is its purpose?*	Nitrosamines are contaminants in cosmetic products and shampoos with DEA, MEA, and TEA compounds unless removed by the manufacturer.
*Where is it found?*	nearly every kind of personal care product mascara concealer conditioner baby shampoo pain relief salve sunless tanning lotion tobacco smoke latex products party balloons condoms beer fish, and fish byproducts meat and cheese products preserved with nitrite pickling salt

HEALTH CONCERNS

Is this chemical a carcinogen? Numerous studies and databases link nitrosamines to cancer. They are listed as possible human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the U.S. National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens and the California EPA Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects. Several other databases cite strong to moderate evidence regarding the cancer-causing properties of nitrosamines.

Nitrosamines can cause cancers in a wide variety of animal species, a feature that suggests that they may also be carcinogenic in humans.

Epidemiological data supports a positive association between nitrite and nitrosamine intake and gastric cancer, between meat and processed meat intake and gastric cancer and esophageal cancer, but the studies are inconclusive. Their formation can occur only under certain conditions, including strongly acidic conditions such as that of the human stomach.

High temperatures, as in frying, can also enhance the formation of nitrosamines. These cooking styles may be responsible for thousands of cases of colon cancer per year across the world.

The U.S. government established limits on the amount of nitrites used in meat products in order to decrease cancer risk in the population. There are also rules requiring adding ascorbic acid or related compounds to meat, because they inhibit nitrosamine formation.

How can it affect me? Nitrosamines, a carcinogenic compound can add a whole new challenge for consumers reading labels for safety, since nitrosamines do not appear on a label.

There is some evidence of endocrine disruption at very low doses. Studies have also linked nitrosamines to developmental or reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and systemic toxicity.

Nitrosamines have been banned from use in cosmetics by Canada and the European Union.

The following are nitrosating agents and are chemicals that can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetic products with nitrosamines:

2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol

Cocoyl sarcosine

DEA compounds

TEA compounds

Imidazolidinyl urea

Formaldehyde

Hydrolysed animal protein

Lauryl sarcosine

MEA compounds

Quaternium-7, -15, -31, -60, etc.

Sodium lauryl sulphate

Ammonium lauryl sulphate

Sodium laureth sulphate

Ammonium laureth sulphate

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Are there controversial issues? No known controversies.