International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
N-NITROSODI-n-BUTYLAMINE
VOL.: 17 (1978) (p. 51)
CAS No.: 924-16-3
Chem. Abstr. Name: N-Butyl-N-nitroso-l-butamine
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine is carcinogenic in all animal species tested:
mice, rats, Syrian golden, Chinese and European hamsters, rabbits and
guinea-pigs, after its oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or
intravenous administration. It produces benign and malignant tumours
in the urinary bladder, oesophagus, liver, respiratory tract, stomach
and intestine, and also leukaemia; it is particularly effective as a
bladder carcinogen. It is carcinogenic following its administration
prenatally and in single doses.
The two metabolites, N-nitroso-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)amine and
N-nitroso-n-butyl-N-
(3-carboxypropyl)amine are also carcinogenic, the
first in mice, rats, hamsters and dogs and the second in rats. When
given orally to mice, N-nitroso-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)amine
produces carcinomas of the urinary bladder; when given orally or
intravesicularly to rats, it produces papillomas and carcinomas of the
urinary bladder; when given subcutaneously to hamsters, it produces
tumours of the urinary bladder and respiratory tract and
cholangiocellular tumours; and when given subcutaneously to dogs, it
produces urinary bladder tumours. N-nitroso-n-butyl-N-(3-carboxy-
propyl)amine produces tumours of the
urinary bladder in rats after its oral administration or
intravesicular instillation.
5.2 Human data
No case reports or epidemiological studies were available to the
Working Croup. Available information on occurrence suggests that the
general population may be exposed sporadically to low levels of
N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine; however, no exposed group suitable for an
epidemiological investigation has yet been identified.
5.3 Evaluation
There is sufficient evidence of a carcinogenic effect of N-nitrosodi-
n-butylamine in several experimental animal species. Although no
epidemiological data were available, N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine should
be regarded for practical purposes as if it were carcinogenic to
humans.
Previous evaluation: Vol. 4 (1974)
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 67: Group 2B)
For definition of terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms
- DBNA
- DBN
- N,N-Di-n-butylnitrosamine
- Di-n-butylnitrosamine
- NDBA
Last updated: 25 March 1998