Degradation of dimethylnitrosoamine catalysed by physical and chemical agents.

Decomposition of dimethylnitrosoamine (DMNA) by chemical and physical agents was further investigated. Both photoirradiation with sunlight or ultraviolet ray and reductive reactions under acid conditions (likely occurring in the stomach) led to the formation of formaldehyde, formic acid, and N-methydrazine, in addition to denitrosated compounds such as methylamine, dimethylamine, and N-methylhydroxylamine. N-Methylhydrazine was the only compound which was not detected by photoirradiation under neutral conditions. The agreement between physiochemical and metabolic degradation products and the possible biological meaning are discussed together with the problem of environmental contamination by the nitroso compound.