Pesticide-derived nitrosamines

Oliver, J. E., 1981, Pesticide-derived nitrosamines Occurrence and environmental fate, N-nitroso Compounds," R. A. Scanlan and S. R. Tannenbaum, eds., American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. 

Possible exposure to pesticide-derived N,-nitroso compounds depends on environmental processes that influence formation, movement, and degradation of the compounds. Although laboratory studies have shown the feasibility of environmental nitrosamine formation, there has been little evidence that it is an important process. Nitrosamines vary greatly in their environmental stabilities, but all seem to be susceptible to one or more modes of decomposition including photolysis, microbiological degradation, and plant metabolism. 

A recent paper by EPA reviewed the results of analysis of about 300 pesticides for nitrosamines. A large number of amide, carbamate, organophosphate, triazine, urea derivatives and miscellaneous nitrogen-containing pesticides did not contain... 

This far into a nitrosamine symposium it should hardly be necessary to point out that nitrosamines are technically just one of a group of Ji-nitroso compounds that also includes nitros-amides, nitrosocarbamates, nitrosoureas, etc. Or that nitrosa-table pesticides encompass all the categories just mentioned and more. Or that many diverse pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides have been converted to Ji-nitroso derivatives in the laboratory (a recent review contained a 3-page, probably incomplete, compilation), or that some of the Ji-nitroso compounds thus synthesized were determined to be carcinogenic in test animals or mutagenic in various assays. 

Attending to the different pathways for the nitrosation of amines and amine derivatives, it is not unexpected for the A-nitrosamines to be found in many different areas of human environment. Nitrosamines and their precursors nitrite and amines, are ubiquitous in the environment. Nitrite can be formed by the nitrification of ammonia or by the denitrification of nitrate by microorganisms. The decomposition of organic materials from plants and animals, industrial (chemical) discharge, and pesticide preparations are primary sources of environmental amines. 

Although GC/MS techniques remain the basic hallmark of analysis for pesticides and their derivatives, it is important to stress the need and the specific role of additional methodologies such as thermal energy analysis and electrochemical detectors. The former technique was discussed with particular emphasis on its utility of the determination of trace levels of nitrosamines and nitrosated pesticides in agricultural products and residues. 

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