Metabolites of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in smokers' urine.

Metabolites of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, a potent pulmonary carcinogen, have been quantified in the urine of 11 smokers. They were not detected in nonsmokers' urine. The metabolites, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronide, were detected in quantities of 0.23-1.0 and 0.57-6.5 micrograms/24 h, respectively. The results of this study provide the first evidence for metabolites of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in human urine.