Air-water and ether-water distribution of N-nitroso compounds: implications for laboratory safety, analytic methodology, and carcinogenicity for the rat esophagus, nose, and liver

Abstract

The air-water distribution ratio K1, ether-water distribution ratio K2, and solubility in water were measured for 17 nitrosamines, 3 nitrosamides, and 1 nitrosocyanamide. For K1, air was analysed either by UV absorption of ethanol extracts or by gas chromatography. K1 at 37 degrees C varied from less than 2 X 10(-6) to 4.5 X 10(-3), with 11 compounds showing K1 greater than 10(-4). A literature analysis provided data on the carcinogenicity of these N-nitroso (NNO) compounds toward the esophagus, nose, and liver of the rat. This compilation of data on physical properties and carcinogenicity of NNO compounds was then analysed in terms of: a) safety of workers handling either solutions of volatile NNO compounds or animals treated with these compounds, b) analytic methdology, and c) possible correlations between K1-, K2-, and solubility-characteristics, and carcinogenicity. Overall correlations were not observed. However, within each of five chemical groups, K1 and K2 tended to be associated positively with esophageal and nasal carcinogenicity and negatively with hepatic carcinogenicity. Water solubility showed the opposite associations.