Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines in the Environment.

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to summarize data on carcinogenic heterocyclic amines mainly from the aspect of environmental medicine. Since 1977, a new series of heterocyclic amines has been isolated as potent mutagens and they have been shown to be carcinogenic to experimental animals. Among these carcinogens, carcinogenic amino-alpha-carbolines and amino-gamma-carbolines are widely distributed in such components of the environment as airborne particles, rain water, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust particles and cooked foods. Moreover, most carcinogenic heterocyclic amines are reported to be present in cigarette smoke. These facts suggest that carcinogenic heterocyclic amines are likely to be ubiquitous environmental pollutants. These results also support the hypothesis that carcinogenic heterocyclic amines may be formed through combustion of various materials such as food, grass and petroleum.