Nitrosamines and Pesticides: A Special Report on the Occurrence of Nitrosamines as Terminal Residues Resulting From Agricultural Use of Certain Pesticides

Abstract

-Nitrosarnine contaminants in certain pesticide formulations, especially dinitroaniline and some acid herbicides, has been firmly established. These contaminants arise from either chemical synthesis, as with the dinitroanilines, or from nitrosation in the product due to nitrite, as with certain halobenzoic acid formulations. The nitrosamines are either simple nitrosodialkylamine compounds or the nitroso derivative of the parent pesticides. Methodology for detecting and determining trace levels for both volatile and non-volatile nitrosamines is available. Formation of nitrosated pesticides in soil or water would not appear to be a major problem. In vivo nitrosation of pesticides and dialkylamines has been studied. Concurreit administration of certain amimes and nitrite to laboratory animals has resulted in increased tumor information. Trace amounts of nitrosated carbamates and low yields of nitrosated dialkylamines were observed as a result of simultaneously feeding rats and guinea pigs the parent compound and nitrite. No evidence of nitrosoatrazine in stomach contents, tissues, and milk were found when atrazine and nitrite were fed to rats and goats. Nitrosamines are photolabile and the volatile members of the class are partially dissipated by volatilization and subsequent photodecomposition in air. Most nitrosamines are stable to hydrolysis in aqueous solution at the pH's usually found in ground and surface waters and are photodegraded in solutions. The nitrosodialkylamines are rapidly dissipated in soil, whereas certain nitrosated pesticides are more stable. Uptake of radioactivity into plants has been demonstrated using 14C-labeled nitroso compounds; however, no nitrosated products have been identified in either the forage or grain of the crops studied.

N-Nitrosamine Impurities in Ethalfluralin: Determination of an Overlooked Deleterious Source in Pesticides

“…They can be found in a variety of p including foods, drugs, cosmetics, toys and pesticides [2]. Although recently there was a significant increase in concern for N-nitrosa pharmaceutical products [3,4], their presence in pesticides was well-known bef Ross et al, Fishbein and Kearney [5][6][7] detected them in high concentrations (u mg•L −1 ) and studied the mutagenic potential of N-nitrosamines in various pestici dinitroanilines among them. These concentration levels are of high toxicological Although recently there was a significant increase in concern for N-nitrosamines in pharmaceutical products [3,4], their presence in pesticides was well-known beforehand.…”

“…These concentration levels are of high toxicological Although recently there was a significant increase in concern for N-nitrosamines in pharmaceutical products [3,4], their presence in pesticides was well-known beforehand. Ross et al, Fishbein and Kearney [5][6][7] detected them in high concentrations (up to 640 mg•L −1 ) and studied the mutagenic potential of N-nitrosamines in various pesticides, with dinitroanilines among them. These concentration levels are of high toxicological risk since they may lead to human exposures two orders of magnitude greater than exposures from nitrite-preserved Agriculture 2023, 13, 1104 2 of 10 food or from tobacco smoke.…”