Organic Chemical
nitrosamine Audio
ni·tros·a·mine [ nahy-troh-suh-meen, nahy-trohs-am-in ]
Subclass of:
Nitroso Compounds
Definitions related to nitrosamines:
  • A type of chemical found in tobacco products and tobacco smoke. Nitrosamines are also found in many foods, including fish, beer, fried foods, and meats. Some nitrosamines cause cancer in laboratory animals and may increase the risk of certain types of cancer in humans.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Any of a class of organic compounds with the general formula R2NNO or RNHNO, present in various foods and other products and found to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals. (dictionary.com)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Any of a group of N-nitroso derivatives of secondary amines formed by the combining of nitrates with amines; some show carcinogenic activity.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • A class of compounds that contain a -NH2 and a -NO radical. Many members of this group have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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