Release of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosable substances

N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances are present, usually in trace quantities, in various environmental media, certain food products, cosmetics, and rubber products. In particular, those found in rubber products are thought to originate from certain additives used in the vulcanization of rubber.

N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances are controlled by Commission Directive 93/11/EEC. In addition, recommendation XXI by Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has set the migration limit of N-nitrosamines from elastomers to food at ≤ 1.0 µg/dm².