N-nitrosamines and nitrosatable compounds in rubber nipples and pacifiers.

Rubber nipples and pacifiers were analysed for volatile N-nitrosamines using gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis after extraction with 'artificial saliva'. All of the 17 samples tested were found to contain at least two of the following: N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodibutylamine and N-nitrosopiperidine. Total volatile N-nitrosamine levels up to 19.7 micrograms/kg rubber were found, with a mean content of 7.3 micrograms/kg. Nitrosatable compounds, measured as N-nitrosamines after nitrosation, were detected in 15 of the 17 samples to total levels up to 13.7 mg/kg, the mean being 5.0 mg/kg.