N-Nitroso compounds in the ambient air of metal factories using metal-working fluids

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 867 - 874
• Main Authors: FADLALLAH, S, COOPER, S. F, PERRAULT, G, TRUCHON, G, LESAGE, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer-Verlag 01-12-1996
• Subjects: Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Carcinogens - analysis; Chromatography, Gas; Exact sciences and technology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Guidelines as Topic; Indoor pollution and occupational exposure; Industrial Waste; Metals; Nitrosamines - analysis; Pollution; Quebec; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Canada; North America; America; United States; Quebec; Nitroso compound; Ambient air concentration; Chemical analysis; Nitrosamine; Air pollution; Metallurgical plant; Occupational exposure; Occupational medicine; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s001289900270

Metal-working fluids are used for lubricating and cooling the cutting and grinding surfaces of metals in metallurgical industries. N-nitrosodiethanolamine, a proven carcinogen, has been found to be present in several commercial brands of these fluids. Gas liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to examine the presence of N-nitroso compounds in the ambient air of several metal factories in Quebec, Canada. Levels of N-nitrosodiethanolamine ranged from trace amounts to 0.193 mu g/m super(3), while those of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodibutylamine ranged 0.011 0.076 and 0.031 0.167 mu g/m super(3), respectively. No correlation was found between the presence or concentrations of the compounds.