Probabilistic cancer risk assessment for dietary intake of seven nitrosamine chemicals in Korea

We conducted a probabilistic risk assessment for seven nitrosamines (i.e., N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosodibuthylmine (NDBA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP), N-nitrosomorpholone (NMOR) and N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA)) to assess the cancer risk posed by dietary intake of nitrosamines for Korean people. The estimated cancer risks were the highest in the order of NDMA, NDEA, NDBA, NPYR, NPIP, NMOR and NMEA. The cancer risks of NPYR, NPIP, NMOR and NMEA was estimated to be lower than de minimis risk (i.e., a cancer risk of 10⁻⁶), and thus, can be ignored. The derived cancer risks of NDEA and NDBA exceeded de minimis risk, but did not exceed de manifestis risk (i.e., a cancer risk of 10⁻⁴), meaning that no imminent action is required for either chemical. However, because the high-end cancer risk (i.e., > 90^th percentile) by NDMA intake exceeded de manifestis risk owing to its strong carcinogenicity and high daily intake rate, action to reduce the cancer risk from dietary intake of NDMA is strongly warranted. Because NDMA formation in foods is an unavoidable chemical reaction between NDMA precursors (i.e., nitrogen oxides and organic amines), we recommend focusing on reducing the contents of NDMA precursors in foods as a best management practice.