Nitrosamines in rubber bands used for orthodontic purposes

Fourteen samples from eight brands of elastic-rubber bands used in orthodontics were tested for their nitrosamine content. The presence of N-nitrosodibutylamine and N-nitrosopiperidine was confirmed. The potential for nitrosamine formation from accelerating agents used for vulcanization and from other nitrosatable amines, which may be present in rubber exposed to salivary nitrite, justifies further investigations.