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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: NO-Pyr; NPYR; 1-Nitroso-pyrrolidine; N-N-Pyr

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1950

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 930-55-2

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: UY1575000

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
    yellow liquid
    molecular formula: C4H8N2O
    molecular weight: 100.2
    flash point: 82°C
    boiling point: 214°C/760 mm Hg

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Group B2, probable human carcinogen

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans [69 KB PDF, 19 pages]

National Toxicology Program (NTP): Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen [5 MB PDF, 507 pages]
Potential Symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin

Health Effects: Suspected carcinogen (HE2)

Affected Organs: Liver (rats), lungs (mice)

Notes:
  1. N-Nitrosopyrrolidine is an OSHA Select Carcinogen without a PEL.
  2. N-Nitrosopyrrolidine undergoes activation by α-hydroxylation via the cytochrome P450 2A family (e.g., CYP2A6) to metabolites that form adducts with guanine in RNA and DNA.
  3. Production of upper respiratory tumors (laryngeal or tracheal) was observed with a single i.p. injection of N-nitrosopyrrolidine in Syrian golden hamsters.
  4. N-Nitrosopyrrolidine has been found in some sun-dried foods and nitrite-preserved foods (e.g., bacon), as well as in cigarette smoke.
Date Last Revised: 08/11/2006

Literature Basis:
  • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: N-Nitrosopyrrolidine (CASRN 930-55-2).
  • Hunt, E.J. and Shank, R.C.: Formation and persistence of a DNA adduct in rodents treated with N-nitrosopyrrolidine. Carcinogenesis 12(4): 571-575, 1991.
  • McCoy, G.D., DeMarco, G.J., Haxhiu, L., Roggero, E., Sudilovsky, E.C. and Sudilovsky, O.: Effect of acute administration of N-nitrosopyrrolidine to male Syrian golden hamsters. Cancer Lett. 79(2): 161-165, 1994.
  • No Author: N-Nitrosopyrrolidine [5 MB PDF, 507 pages]. Report on Carcinogens (latest edition); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): N-Nitrosopyrrolidine. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1743-1744.
  • Siddiqi, M.A., Tricker, A.R., Kumar, R., Fazili, Z. and Preussmann, R.: Dietary sources of N-nitrosamines in a high-risk area for oesophageal cancer—Kashmir, India. IARC Sci. Publ. (105): 210-213, 1991.
  • Wong, M. and Hecht, S.S.: A cyclic N7,C8 guanine adduct of N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR): formation in nucleic acids and excretion in the urine of NPYR-treated rats. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 10(7): 772-778, 1997.
  • Wong, H.L., Murphy, S.E. and Hecht, S.S.: Cytochrome P450 2A-catalyzed metabolic activation of structurally similar carcinogenic nitrosamines: N’-nitrosonornicotine enantiomers, N-nitrosopiperidine, and N-nitrosopyrrolidine. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 18(1): 61-69, 2005.

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: ThermoSorb/N Tube
    analytical solvent: (75:25) Dichloromethane:Methanol
    maximum volume: 75 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/TEA
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 27)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: OSHA personnel may obtain ThermoSorb/N Tube from SLTC. Store samples in freezer.
Bulk Method: Limit the amount of bulk submitted to one gram or one mL.

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Page last updated: 07/23/2007

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