Where It Comes From
Byproduct/impurity in making rubber, pesticides, and other chemicals; can form during chloramine drinking-water treatment; found in tobacco smoke. [2][3]
How You Are Exposed
Drinking chloraminated water with nitrosamines, breathing tobacco smoke, or workplace contact in rubber/chemical manufacturing. [2][4]
Why It Matters
NDPA causes tumors (especially liver) in animals; IARC: possibly carcinogenic to humans; NTP: reasonably anticipated human carcinogen. [1][3][4]
Who Is at Risk
Industrial workers handling amines/nitrosating agents; smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke; people served by systems with elevated nitrosamines. [2][4]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Don’t smoke; avoid secondhand smoke; check your utility’s nitrosamine data; consider certified home treatment (e.g., activated carbon or reverse osmosis) and follow filter guidance; ask employers about controls and protective gear. [2][4]
References
- [1]U.S. EPA IRIS. N‑Nitrosodi‑n‑propylamine (CASRN 621-64-7). https://iris.epa.gov
- [2]U.S. EPA. Technical Fact Sheet – Nitrosamines (EPA 505-F-14-011). https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/technical-fact-sheet-nitrosamines
- [3]IARC Monographs, Vol. 17: Some N‑Nitrosamines (NDPA: Group 2B). International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://monographs.iarc.who.int
- [4]NTP Report on Carcinogens. N‑Nitrosodi‑n‑propylamine—Reasonably Anticipated to Be a Human Carcinogen. National Toxicology Program. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov