Screening cosmetic products for N-nitroso compounds by chemiluminescent determination of nitric oxide

Cosmetic products were screened for total N-nitroso compounds by chemiluminescent measurement of nitric oxide liberated by the reductive cleavage of the N-nitroso group. The cosmetic was first partitioned between methylene chloride and water to separate polar and nonpolar N-nitroso compounds. Each extract was then examined for the presence of N-nitroso compounds by adding the cleavage reagent and sweeping the nitric oxide formed into a chemiluminescent analyzer. Although the method is not intended to be quantitative, recovery studies were conducted to determine measurable levels. Recovery studies of polar N-nitroso compounds were conducted by adding N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) to a cream, a shampoo, and a lotion at 3 levels, i.e., 80, 320, and 960 ppb, and then determining NDELA by the method. Recoveries ranged from 48 to 83% (mean 68%; SD = 11.9). For recoveries of nonpolar N-nitroso compounds, 100, 200, and 500 ppb of N-nitrosomethyltetradecylamine were added to the 3 cosmetic products. Recoveries ranged from 58 to 70% (mean 63%; SD = 5.3).