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N'-nitrosonornicotine in tobacco
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 18, 1974
Summary
N'-Nitrosonornicotine, a potential carcinogen, was found in U.S. tobacco products at high levels. This nitrosamine is significantly more concentrated in tobacco than in food or drinks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- N'-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) is a tobacco-specific nitrosamine.
- Nitrosamines are known environmental contaminants and potential carcinogens.
- Previous research has identified various nitrosamines in tobacco products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify N'-Nitrosonornicotine in unburned tobacco.
- To compare NNN levels in tobacco with levels in food and beverages.
- To establish NNN as a potential organic carcinogen found in tobacco.
Main Methods:
- Chemical analysis of commercial U.S. tobacco products.
- Spectroscopic identification of N'-Nitrosonornicotine.
- Quantification of NNN using established analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- N'-Nitrosonornicotine was positively identified in unburned tobacco.
- NNN concentrations ranged from 1.9 to 88.6 parts per million (ppm) in U.S. tobacco products.
- Levels of NNN in tobacco were significantly higher than those typically found in food and drinks (rarely exceeding 0.1 ppm).
Conclusions:
- Unburned tobacco contains high levels of N'-Nitrosonornicotine, a potential carcinogen.
- This study reports one of the highest environmental nitrosamine concentrations ever documented.
- N'-Nitrosonornicotine represents the first identified potential organic carcinogen originating from tobacco.