Occurrence of volatile N-nitrosamines in baby bottle nipples and pacifiers sold in Calcutta markets

A survey was conducted on volatile nitrosamine contents in baby bottle nipples and pacifiers currently available in the Calcutta markets. Altogether nine samples of different commercial brands of baby bottle nipples and pacifiers were purchased during the months of August and September, 1996 from various local outlets. These were analyzed for the presence of volatile nitrosamine contents, using gas chromatography with thermal energy analyser (GC-TEA) technique. The survey revealed that four samples contained volatile nitrosamines. The amounts of total nitrosamines detected in the samples ranged from 16.6 to 113.5 ppb, which were above the regulatory action level (10 ppb) prescribed by US Food Drug Administration.