The exposure to humans to nitrite

Although nitrate is more abundant than nitrite in food and the environment in general, it requires reduction by, for instance, bacterial or plant enzymes before it is involved in the nitrosation of amines or amides. Part of the exposure of humans to nitrite arises from its use as a food additive where it performs a very useful function in protecting the consumer from pathogenic micro-organisms such as Clostridium botulinum. Some untreated foodstuffs, such as potatoes, tomatoes and beets, also contain low levels of nitrite. Nevertheless, the main source of human contact is that produced in vivo from nitrate ingested in foods in general and in vegetables in particular. Nitrate also occurs widely in drinking water supplies and this source can also contribute in some measure to human exposure. As yet, it is not possible to compute with accuracy the contribution from any endogenous synthesis within the gastrointestinal tract. Since the rate of nitrosation of an amine is dependent on the nitrite concentration to a power of greater than unity, it is probable that nitrite ingested in one application over a short period will be more active in the synthesis of N-nitroso compounds than a continuous supply at lower concentrations over long periods.