Model systems demonstrating the volatile mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of sodium nitrite in rats

Volatile mutagens derived from sodium nitrite buffered at various pH values or in the presence of human feces were detected using Ames Salmonella tester strain TA 1535 on petrie plates inverted over samples. Volatile mutagenicity increased as the pH decreased and was primarily a function of the nitrous acid produced from sodium nitrite and hydrogen ions. Sodium nitrite administered intracecally to 3 Wistar rats through surgically implanted cannula caused tumors (fibrosarcoma: 1/3 and squamous cell, 2/3). The possible role of nitrite-derived mutagens in GI cancer is discussed.