Analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines in beer and food in China.

Capillary gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis was used for the study of volatile N-nitrosamines in comestibles. The finding of a comparatively high content of N-nitrosodimethylamine in some Chinese beers confirms the results of other authors. We describe studies of Chinese foods and environmental samples carried out in this laboratory in collaboration with epidemiological groups. The concentrations of N-nitrosamines could be correlated with mortality from digestive cancer.