Volatile N-nitrosamines in snuff and chewing tobacco on the Swedish market

Abstract

Snuff and chewing tobacco on the Swedish market in 1981–1982 were analysed for volatile N-nitrosamines using gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis. Detectable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosopyrrolidine were found in nearly all of the 36 samples analysed. N-nitrosopiperidine and N-nitrosomorpholine were also found in some samples. The total concentration of volatile N-nitrosamines found in any sample was between 0.5 and 145.9 μg/kg wet weight. Storage of snuff in unopened ☐es for 20 wk at −20, +2 or +23°C resulted in small but statistically insignificant changes in the volatile N-nitrosamine content. Storage for 20 wk at +2°C in ☐es that had been opened and resealed led to a larger but statistically insignificant increase in the mean level of total volatile N-nitrosamines. The levels of volatile N-nitrosamines found in Swedish snuff in 1981 and 1982 were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those found in 1979. It is estimated that in Sweden today the use of snuff can increase the normal intake of the N-nitrosamines studied here by about 10 to 100%.