Why Are Nitrosamines Carcinogenic?

Nitrosamines are not directly carcinogenic. Metabolic activation is required to convert them to the alkylating agents that modify bases in DNA, inducing mutations.

Are nitrosamines carcinogenic in animals?

Nitrosamines are potent pancreatic carcinogens in animal models, and levels of NNK in samples of human pancreatic juice are significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers (Prokopczyk et al., 2002).

How do nitrates cause cancer?

When taken into the body by drinking water and through other dietary sources, nitrate and nitrite can react with amines and amides to form N-nitroso compounds (NOC), which are known to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans.