ABSTRACT
N-nitroso compounds (NNC) have in common the possession of an >N N=O moiety. They are otherwise a very structurally diverse and heterogeneous group. Of the many investigated, the majority have the ability to bring about the alkylation of DNA and other cellular constituents and thus have mutagenic and carcinogenic potential (Preussmann and Stewart, 1984). Some may also have acute toxic effects or may be teratogenic. Human exposure to N-nitroso compounds would appear to be all but unavoidable, though the levels of exposure in some instances can be minimized (Hill, 1988).
