Determination of N-Nitrosamines in Rubber Nipples from Infant Pacifiers

摘要

Research was performed to develop data concerning the presence of N-nitrosamines and precursors in pacifiers so that the health significance of the exposure problem related to infant ingestion of these chemicals could be properly assessed. Volatile N-nitrosamines were determined in cut-up pacifier nipples by extraction with dichloromethane followed by concentration in a Kuderna-Danish evaporator, high temperature mineral oil purge and trap and analysis by gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis. N-Nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) was the principal N-nitrosamine found with concentrations up to 427 ppb. N-nitrosamines and precursors in cut-up and intect nipples were determined by GC-TEA after a single extraction with artificial saliva. NDBA was the principal nitrosamine found at levels up to 1040 ppb while dibutylamine (DBA) was the principal precursor found at levels up to 3890 ppb. The persistence of these compounds in intact nipples was determined by multiple artificial saliva extractions of intact pacifier nipples totalled 705 ppb and 7.25 ppm, respectively. N-nitrosamine levels generally showed a gradual decrease in concentration with each extraction whereas no consistent trend could be determined for concentrations of precursors.