N-Nitrosodiethylamine (CASRN 55-18-5)
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0042
N-Nitrosodiethylamine; CASRN 55-18-5
Health assessment information on a chemical substance is included in IRIS
only after a comprehensive review of chronic toxicity data by U.S. EPA
health scientists from several Program Offices and the Office of Research
and Development. The summaries presented in Sections I and II represent
a consensus reached in the review process. Background information and
explanations of the methods used to derive the values given in IRIS are
provided in the Background Documents.
STATUS OF DATA FOR N-Nitrosodiethylamine
File First On-Line 01/31/1987
Category (section) |
Status |
Last Revised |
---|---|---|
Oral RfD Assessment (I.A.) | no data | |
Inhalation RfC Assessment (I.B.) | no data | |
Carcinogenicity Assessment (II.) | on-line | 07/01/1993 |
_I. Chronic Health Hazard Assessments for Noncarcinogenic Effects
_I.A. Reference Dose for Chronic Oral Exposure (RfD)
Substance Name — N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Not available at this time.
_I.B. Reference Concentration for Chronic Inhalation Exposure (RfC)
N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Not available at this time.
_II. Carcinogenicity Assessment for Lifetime Exposure
Substance Name — N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Last Revised — 07/01/1993
Section II provides information on three aspects of the carcinogenic assessment for the substance in question; the weight-of-evidence judgment of the likelihood that the substance is a human carcinogen, and quantitative estimates of risk from oral exposure and from inhalation exposure. The quantitative risk estimates are presented in three ways. The slope factor is the result of application of a low-dose extrapolation procedure and is presented as the risk per (mg/kg)/day. The unit risk is the quantitative estimate in terms of either risk per ug/L drinking water or risk per ug/cu.m air breathed. The third form in which risk is presented is a drinking water or air concentration providing cancer risks of 1 in 10,000, 1 in 100,000 or 1 in 1,000,000. The rationale and methods used to develop the carcinogenicity information in IRIS are described in The Risk Assessment Guidelines of 1986 (EPA/600/8-87/045) and in the IRIS Background Document. IRIS summaries developed since the publication of EPA's more recent Proposed Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment also utilize those Guidelines where indicated (Federal Register 61(79):17960-18011, April 23, 1996). Users are referred to Section I of this IRIS file for information on long-term toxic effects other than carcinogenicity.
_II.A. Evidence for Human Carcinogenicity
__II.A.1. Weight-of-Evidence Characterization
Classification — B2; probable human carcinogen
Basis — Induction of tumors at multiple sites in both rodent and nonrodent species exposed by various routes
__II.A.2. Human Carcinogenicity Data
Human exposure to nitrosamines results from contact with mixtures containing these compounds (e.g., cutting oils, tobacco products). Because of potential confounding by the other substances in these mixtures, data from human exposure is of limited use in the evaluation of carcinogenicity of individual nitrosamines.
__II.A.3. Animal Carcinogenicity Data
There is a large database on the carcinogenicity of nitrosamines, most of which pertains to structure-activity relationships rather than to dose- response. Diethylnitrosamine administered by gavage, in drinking water, or by feeding produces liver tumors in the following species: rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys (Yamamoto et al., 1972; Druckrey et al., 1967, 1963; Magee et al., 1976; Rajewsky et al., 1966; Tomatis, 1973).
Tracheal and lung tumors have been observed in Syrian golden hamsters upon administration of diethylnitrosamine by gavage or inhalation (Magee et al., 1976). Diethylnitrosamine administered to pregnant mice, rats, and hamsters has been shown to act transplacentally, inducing tumors in the progeny (Tomatis, 1973; Mohr, 1966; Druckrey, 1973a,b).
Peto et al. (1984) exposed groups of 48 Colworth rats/sex to diethylnitrosamine in drinking water at 15 concentrations between 0.033 and 16.896 ppm. Six animals/group were sacrificed at 6 and at 12 months and the remainder kept on treatment until natural death. Water consumption was 41 and 72 mL/kg for adult males and females. Data on tumor incidence was not reported for each group, but data pooled by sex indicated positive trends for tumors of the nasopharynx, lower jaw, stomach, kidney, ovaries, seminal vesicles, liver, and esophagus. Dose-related increases in incidence of upper GI tumors and liver cell tumors were observed in C57-BO mice, and tracheal and liver cell tumors were observed in Syrian hamsters (Peto et al., 1984).
__II.A.4. Supporting Data for Carcinogenicity
Diethylnitrosamine is mutagenic for S. typhimurium, E. coli, and Neurospora crassa, and produced mitotic recombination in S. cerevisiae, recessive lethal mutations in D. melanogaster, and chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells. Positive responses in bacterial cells are dependent upon the addition of a mammalian metabolic system (Montesano and Bartsch, 1976). Diethylnitrosamine is structurally related to known carcinogens.
_II.B. Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Oral Exposure
__II.B.1. Summary of Risk Estimates
Oral Slope Factor — 1.5E+2 per (mg/kg)/day
Drinking Water Unit Risk — 4.3E-3 per (µg/L)
Extrapolation Method — Weibull, extra risk
Drinking Water Concentrations at Specified Risk Levels:
Risk Level
|
Concentration
|
---|---|
E-4 (1 in 10,000)
|
2E-2 ug/L
|
E-5 (1 in 100,000)
|
2E-3 ug/L
|
E-6 (1 in 1,000,000)
|
2E-4 ug/L
|
__II.B.2. Dose-Response Data (Carcinogenicity, Oral Exposure)
Tumor Type — liver
Test animals — rat/Colworth, female
Route — drinking water
Reference — Peto et al., 1984
Specific tumor incidences were not published. Data from Peto et al. (1984) on incidence of liver tumors of all types in female rats were shown to follow this relationship:
CI = 32.09 (d +
0.04) **4 x t**7 |
|
where: | CI = cumulative incidence |
d = dose (mg/kg/day) | |
t = time in years |
Using procedures described in U.S. EPA (1980) to correct for background response, the increased risk associated with exposure to 1 ug/kg/day for 3 years = 2.27E-2, corresponding to a slope factor in rats of 22.7 per (mg/kg)/day. The slope factor was calculated using the cube root of the ratio of the assumed adult human weight of 70 kg and the reported rat weight of 250 g.
__II.B.3. Additional Comments (Carcinogenicity, Oral Exposure)
Peto et al. (1984) reported liver and esophageal tumors to be the only treatment-related cause of death. The unit risk should not be used if the water concentration exceeds 2 ug/L, since above this concentration the unit risk may not be appropriate.
__II.B.4. Discussion of Confidence (Carcinogenicity, Oral Exposure)
Although specific incidences were not reported, it appears that large numbers of animals were observed for their lifetime. Tumor induction was dose-related as regards both numbers of animals with tumors and latency. The study was designed specifically for analysis using the Weibull model. A slope factor calculated in the Ambient Water Quality Criteria Document for Nitrosamines (U.S. EPA, 1980) based on data of Druckrey et al. (1963) was 43 per (mg/kg)/day, within a factor of 4 of the above risk estimate.
_II.C. Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Inhalation Exposure
__II.C.1. Summary of Risk Estimates
Inhalation Unit Risk — 4.3E-2 per (µg/cu.m)
Extrapolation Method — Weibull, extra risk
Air Concentrations at Specified Risk Levels:
Risk Level
|
Concentration |
---|---|
E-4 (1 in 10,000)
|
2E-3 ug/cu.m
|
E-5 (1 in 100,000)
|
2E-4 ug/cu.m
|
E-6 (1 in 1,000,000)
|
2E-5 ug/cu.m
|
__II.C.2. Dose-Response Data for Carcinogenicity, Inhalation Exposure
The inhalation risk estimates were calculated from the oral exposure data in II.B.2.
__II.C.3. Additional Comments (Carcinogenicity, Inhalation Exposure)
The unit risk should not be used if the air concentration exceeds 2E-1 ug/cu.m, since above this concentration the unit risk may not be appropriate.
__II.C.4. Discussion of Confidence (Carcinogenicity, Inhalation Exposure)
See II.B.4.
_II.D. EPA Documentation, Review, and Contacts (Carcinogenicity Assessment)
__II.D.1. EPA Documentation
Source Document — U.S. EPA, 1980, 1986
The values in the Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Nitrosamines (U.S. EPA, 1986) received Agency Review.
__II.D.2. EPA Review (Carcinogenicity Assessment)
Agency Work Group Review — 07/23/1986, 08/13/1986, 10/29/1986
Verification Date — 10/29/1986
Screening-Level Literature Review Findings — A screening-level review conducted by an EPA contractor of the more recent toxicology literature pertinent to the cancer assessment for N-Nitrosodiethylamine conducted in August 2003 identified one or more significant new studies. IRIS users may request the references for those studies from the IRIS Hotline at hotline.iris@epa.gov or 202-566-1676.
__II.D.3. EPA Contacts (Carcinogenicity Assessment)
Please contact the IRIS Hotline for all questions concerning this assessment or IRIS, in general, at (202)566-1676 (phone), (202)566-1749 (FAX) or hotline.iris@epa.gov (internet address).
_III.
[reserved]
_IV. [reserved]
_V. [reserved]
_VI. Bibliography
Substance Name — N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Last Revised — 03/01/1990
_VI.A. Oral RfD References
None
_VI.B. Inhalation RfC References
None
_VI.C. Carcinogenicity Assessment References
Druckrey, H., A. Schildbach, D. Schmahl, R. Preussmann and S. Ivankovic. 1963. Quantitative analyse der carcinogen Wirking von Diathylnitrosamin. Arzneimittel-Forsch. 13: 841-851.
Druckrey, H., R. Preussmann, S. Ivankovic and D. Schmaehl. 1967. Organotropism and carcinogenic effects of 65 different N-nitroso compounds in BD-rats. Z. Kerbsforsch. 69(2): 103-201.
Druckrey, H. 1973a. Chemical structure and action in transplacental carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. IARC Sci. Publ., Lyon, France. No. 4. p. 45-58.
Druckrey, H. 1973b. Specific carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of "indirect" alkylating methyl and ethyl compounds, and their dependency on stages of oncogenic development. Xenobiotica. 3: 271.
Magee, P.N., R. Montesano and R. Preussman. 1976. N-Nitroso compounds and related carcinogens. ACS Monograph. 173: 491-625.
Mohr, U., J. Althoff and A. Authaler. 1966. Diaplacental effect of the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine in the golden hamster. Cancer Res. 26: 2349-2352.
Montesano, R. and H. Bartsch. 1976. Mutagenic and carcinogenic N-Nitroso compounds: Possible environmental Hazards. Mutat. Res. 32: 179-228.
Peto, R., R. Gray, P. Brantom and P. Grasso. 1984. Nitrosamine carcinogenesis in 5120 rodents: Chronic administration of sixteen different concentrations of NDEA, NDMA, NPYR and NPIP in the water of 4440 inbread rats, with parallel studies on NDEA alone of the effect of age starting (3, 6 or 20 weeks) and of species (rats, mice, hamsters). IARC Sci. Publ., Lyon, France. 57: 627-665.
Rajewsky, M.F., W. Dauber and H. Frankenberg. 1966. Liver carcinogenesis by diethylnitrosamine in the rat. Science. 152: 83-85.
Tomatis, L. 1973. Transplacental carcinogenesis. In: Modern Trends in Oncology, Part I, R.W. Raven, Ed. Butterworths, London.
U.S. EPA 1980. Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Nitrosamines. Prepared by the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Washington, DC. EPA 440/5-80-064. NTIS PB 81-117756.
U.S. EPA. 1986. Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Nitrosamines. Prepared by the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, DC.
Yamamoto, R.S., R. Kroes and J.H. Weisburger. 1972. Carcinogenicity of diethylnitrosamine in Mystromys albicaudatus (African white-tailed rat). (36573). Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 140: 890.
_VII. Revision History
Substance Name — N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Date |
Section |
Description |
---|---|---|
03/31/1987 | IV. | RQ added |
09/30/1987 | IV. | Water Quality Criteria added |
03/01/1988 | II.A.1. | Text clarified |
03/01/1988 | II.B.1. | Number rounded off |
03/01/1988 | II.B.3. | Text revised |
03/01/1988 | II.B.4. | Confidence statement revised |
03/01/1988 | II.C.1. | Number rounded off |
03/01/1988 | II.C.4. | Confidence statement revised |
03/01/1988 | II.D.3. | Secondary contact changed |
02/01/1990 | II.A.3. | Rajewsky et al., 1966 spelling corrected |
02/01/1990 | VI. | Bibliography on-line |
03/01/1990 | VI.C. | Druckrey, Peto and Mohr reference titles clarified |
01/01/1991 | II. | Text edited |
01/01/1991 | II.C.1. | Inhalation slope factor removed (global change) |
01/01/1992 | IV. | Regulatory actions updated |
07/01/1993 | II.D.3. | Secondary contact's phone number changed |
04/01/1997 | III., IV., V. | Drinking Water Health Advisories, EPA Regulatory Actions, and Supplementary Data were removed from IRIS on or before April 1997. IRIS users were directed to the appropriate EPA Program Offices for this information. |
10/28/2003 | II.D.2 | Screening-Level Literature Review Findings message has been added. |
_VIII. Synonyms
Substance Name — N-Nitrosodiethylamine
CASRN — 55-18-5
Primary Synonym — Diethylnitrosamine
Last Revised — 01/31/1987
- 55-18-5
- DANA: DEN
- DENA
- diaethylnitrosamin
- diethylamine, N-nitroso
- Diethylnitrosamine
- diethylnitrosoamine
- ethylamine, N-nitrosodi-
- NDEA
- N-ethyl-N-nitroso-ethanamine
- nitrosodiethylamine
- Nitrosodiethylamine, N-
- N,N-diethylnitrosamine
- N-Nitrosodiethylamine
- RCRA waste number U174