July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
n-Nitrosodimethylamine |
(n-Nitrosodimetilamina) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about n-Nitrosodimethylamine.
For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: n-Nitrosodimethylamine
is produced by industry in small amounts but may be formed
in the environment from chemical reactions. It causes
liver cancer in animals. This chemical has been found
in at least 1 of the 1,177 National Priorities List sites
identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is n-nitrosodimethylamine? |
n-Nitrosodimethylamine is produced
by industry only in small amounts for research. At room temperature,
it is a yellow liquid with no distinct odor. It was used to
make rocket fuel, but this use was stopped after unusually
high levels of this chemical were found in air, water, and
soil samples collected near a rocket fuel manufacturing plant.
It is used in some cosmetic and toiletry products and in cleansers.
n-Nitrosodimethylamine is unintentionally
formed during various manufacturing processes and in air,
water, and soil from reactions involving other chemicals called
alkylamines. It is also found in some foods and may be formed
in the body.
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What
happens to n-nitrosodimethylamine when it enters the
environment? |
- n-Nitrosodimethylamine may be found in air, water,
and soil.
- When released to the air, it is broken down by sunlight
in a matter of minutes.
- In water, it may break down when exposed to sunlight or
by natural biological processes.
- When released to soil, it may evaporate into air.
- It could also sink down into deeper soil.
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How
might I be exposed to n-nitrosodimethylamine? |
- Eating food containing it, such as cured meats, fish,
and cheese.
- Using toiletry and cosmetic products such as shampoos
and cleansers that contain it.
- Breathing or inhaling cigarette smoke, which may contain
low levels.
- Eating foods containing alkylamines, which can cause n-nitrosodimethylamine
to form in the stomach.
- Working in industries such as tanneries, pesticide manufacturing
plants, and rubber and tire plants.
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How
can n-nitrosodimethylamine affect my health? |
When people were exposed to very high
levels of n-nitro-sodimethylamine, liver damage occurred.
Little else is known about the heath effects of n-nitrosodimethylamine
in people. Liver effects have also been seen in animals that
ate food, drank water, or breathed air containing high levels
of n-nitrosodimethylamine.
Mice that were fed n-nitrosodimethylamine
during pregnancy had offspring that were born dead or died
shortly after birth.
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How
likely is n-nitrosodimethylamine to cause cancer? |
n-Nitrosodimethylamine exposure
has been shown to result in an increase in liver and lung
cancer in animals. No information is available on whether
it causes cancer in people. The Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) has determined that n-nitrosodimethylamine
may reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to n-nitrosodimethylamine? |
Samples of your blood and urine can be
tested to determine if you have been recently exposed to n-nitrosodimethylamine.
These tests must be done soon after the exposure occurred.
These tests will not tell you whether your health will be
affected by n-nitrosodimethylamine. They are not routinely
available in hospitals and clinics because they require special
equipment.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends that levels in lakes
and streams should be limited to 0.00069 parts of n-nitrosodimethylamine
per billion parts of water (0.00069 ppb) to prevent possible
health effects from drinking water or eating fish contaminated
with n-nitrosodimethylamine.
The EPA requires that spills or accidental
releases of 10 pounds or more of n-nitrosodimethylamine
be reported to the EPA.
The federal recommendations have been
updated as of July 1999.
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Glossary |
Carcinogen: A substance that can cause
cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Evaporate: To change into a vapor or
a gas.
National Priorities List: A list of the
nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
Pesticide: A substance that kills pests.
ppb: Parts per billion.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1989. Toxicological
Profile for n-nitrosodimethylamine. Atlanta, GA:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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