April 1993 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
n-Nitrosodiphenylamine |
(n-Nitrosodifenilamina) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about n-Nitrosodiphenylamine.
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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SUMMARY: The general population
and people in the workplace are probably not exposed to
n-nitrosodiphenylamine. People living near hazardous
waste sites may, however, be exposed to it by drinking
contaminated water of by touching or breathing contaminated
soil and dust. Limited animal studies suggest that n-nitrosodiphenylamine
can damage the bladder and kidneys. It has been found
in at least 172 of 1,300 National Priorities List sites
identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is n-nitrosodiphenylamine? |
n-Nitrosodiphenylamine is an industrial
compound. It is an orange-brown or yellow solid that has been
produced since 1945. n-Nitrosodiphenylamine is used
to make rubber products such as tires or to make other chemicals.
In the early 1980s, most U.S. rubber
manufacturers replaced it with more efficient chemicals. Today,
only one manufacturer in the United States produces n-nitrosodiphenylamine.
We do not know if it occurs naturally
in the environment. There is some evidence that microorganisms
make it.
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What
happens to n-nitrosodiphenylamine when it enters the
environment? |
- It evaporates slowly to the air or leaks into the ground
from waste sites.
- In air, n-nitrosodiphenylamine attaches to dust
particles and can be carried with the wind.
- It dissolves in water, but it binds to soil and does not
move quickly through soil.
- It breaks down in air, water, and soil within several
weeks.
- We don't know what the breakdown substances are in humans
or whether they are harmful to you.
- We don't find it in our normal drinking water, foods,
or air.
- Water organisms take some into their bodies, but they
don't appear to build up high levels.
- We don't know if land animals or plants take it up and
store it in their bodies.
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How
might I be exposed to n-nitrosodiphenylamine? |
- The likelihood of exposure is very low.
- Exposure in the workplace is not likely (only one company
makes it today).
- Drinking water near hazardous waste sites may be contaminated.
- Touching or breathing contaminated waste or soils near
hazardous waste sites may result in higher exposures.
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How
can n-nitrosodiphenylamine affect my health? |
There is very little information on the
effects of n-nitrosodiphenylamine on human health.
There is also not enough information from animal studies to
estimate how exposure to it will affect your health.
Animal studies have identified levels
and exposures that can cause death. Animals given high levels
of n-nitrosodiphenylamine in their diets for long periods
of time developed swelling, cancer of the bladder, and changes
in body weight.
We don't know if these effects would
occur in humans. We also don't know if it can affect pregnancy
or cause birth defects.
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How
likely is n-nitrosodiphenylamine to cause cancer? |
The EPA has determined that n-nitrosodiphenylamine
is a probable human carcinogen. This is based on a long-term
study in rats showing an increase in bladder cancer in the
group exposed to high levels of n-nitrosodiphenylamine.
There is no evidence that it causes bladder cancer in people.
Although EPA has classified n-nitrosodiphenylamine
as a probable carcinogen, the animal data are limited. Other
public health agencies have concluded that no evaluation of
n-nitrosodiphenylamine's carcinogenicity in people
is currently possible. Additional research is needed.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to n-nitrosodiphenylamine? |
No tests are available to determine if
you have been exposed to n-nitrosodiphenylamine. There
are tests to detect n-nitrosodiphenylamine and its
breakdown products in the blood and urine of exposed animals,
but these tests have not been used for people.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends limits on how much
n-nitrosodiphenylamine can be present in bodies of
water such as lakes and rivers. The recommended levels are
49,000 nanograms or less of n-nitrosodiphenylamine
per liter of water (49,000 ng/L). At this level, EPA estimates
that your risk of getting cancer is very low.
For drinking water, the EPA set a limit
of 700 micrograms or less of n-nitrosodiphenylamine
per liter of drinking water (700 µg/L).
n-Nitrosodiphenylamine is also
considered to be a hazardous waste, and the EPA requires industry
to immediately report a spill of more than 100 pounds
to the National Response Center of the federal government.
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Glossary |
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Ingestion: Taking food or drink into
your body.
Microgram (µg): One millionth of
a gram.
Nanogram (ng): One billionth of a gram.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1993. Toxicological Profile for n-nitrosodiphenylamine. 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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