N-Nitroso-N-methyldodecylamine and N-nitroso-N-methyltetradecylamine in household dishwashing liquids.

Eleven household dishwashing liquids and four household surface cleaners were analysed for N-nitroso-N-methyldodecylamine and N-nitroso-N-methyltetradecylamine by gas chromatography with detection using a Thermal Energy Analyzer. Both nitrosamines were found in three of the dishwashing detergents and one of the surface cleaners. [1-14C]-N-Nitroso-N-methyldodecylamine was used to determine recoveries, which were between 65 and 88%. Levels of N-nitroso-N-methyldodecylamine ranged from 112 to 661 ppb and those of N-nitroso-N-methyltetradecylamine from 46 to 151 ppb. A simple method was developed to screen the products for N,N-dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxide, a surfactant ingredient suspected of being the source of these nitrosamines. By application of this method it was established that all of the products formulated with this amine oxide contained these two nitrosamines, whereas in products that did not contain this ingredient, these nitrosamines were not detected.