Nitrosamines

What are nitrosamines?


Nitrosamines are common in cosmetics, but because they are impurities, they are not listed on the product labels. Nearly every kind of personal care product can contain nitrosamines as an impurity. Nitrosamines have been banned from use in cosmetics by Canada, and the European Union.





What effects do nitrosamines have?


Studies have linked nitrosamines to cancer. They are also linked to developmental or reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Nitrosamines accumulates in the liver, bladder and other organs and lead to chronic health effects. It is absorbed through skin.





How often are nitrosamines contained in products?


One in every ten products contain ingredients that can combine with others to form nitrosamines. Nitrosamine levels in some products increase in the months after a product is opened. Nitrosamines are produced from nitrites and amines. They can be found in almost every personal care product, some are: mascara, concealer, conditioner, baby shampoo, pain relief salve, sunless tanning lotion, tobacco smoke, latex products, party ballons, fish and fish byproducts, and meat and chesse products preserves with nitrite pickling salt.





When were we first aware of nitrosamines?


The cosmetics industry was made aware of nitrosamines in March of 1997. Since then the cosmetics industry has worked to define the problem.