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ToxFAQsTM for n-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine
This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about n-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine. For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
What is n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine?
n-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine is a chemical produced by industry in small amounts for research. It is a yellow liquid at room temperature. Small amounts of n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine are produced as a side reaction during some manufacturing processes, as a contaminant in some weed killers, and during the manufacture of some rubber products.
What happens to n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine when it enters the environment?
- Low levels of n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine could be released to the environment from contaminated products or from disposal of waste containing this chemical.
- If released to the air, it is broken down by sunlight within a few hours.
- Low levels of n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine could occur in water from use of weed killers containing it.
- It is broken down in water within a few hours.
- It evaporates from the soil surface or is broken down by bacteria.
How might I be exposed to n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine?
- People may be exposed to low levels by eating foods treated with sodium-nitrite preservatives and by drinking certain alcoholic beverages.
- Low levels may occur in cigarette smoke.
- Workers in the rubber industry could be exposed to n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine.
- People applying contaminated weed killers could be exposed to low levels of the chemical.
How can n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine affect my health?
No information is available on the effects of n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine in people. Studies in animals have shown effects on the liver, lung, stomach, kidneys, and heart at very high doses.
How likely is n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine to cause cancer?
No studies are available on whether or not n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine causes cancer in people. Animal studies have shown an increase in cancer of the liver, nose, and stomach from n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine exposure. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine may reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine?
Samples of your blood and urine can be tested to determine if you have been recently exposed to n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine. These tests must be done soon after the exposure occurred. These tests will not tell you whether your health will be affected by n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine. The tests are not routinely available in hospitals and clinics because they require special equipment.
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
The EPA recommends that levels in lakes and streams should be limited to 0.005 parts n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine per billion parts of water (0.005 ppb) to prevent possible health effects from drinking water or ingesting fish contaminated with n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine.
The federal recommendations have been updated as of July 1999.
Carcinogen: A substance that can cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Evaporate: To change into a vapor or a gas.
National Priorities List: A list of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
ppb: Parts per billion.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1989. Toxicological Profile for n-nitrosodi-n-propylamine. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Where can I get more information?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or:
For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO · 888-232-6348 (TTY)
Email: Contact CDC-INFO
ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.
Information line and technical assistance:
To order toxicological profiles, contact:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000
Some PDF files may be electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page, which also contains other important information about the profiles.
The information contained here was correct at the time of publication. Please check with the appropriate agency for any changes to the regulations or guidelines cited.
- Page last reviewed: March 3, 2011
- Page last updated: March 25, 2014
- Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry