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Glite Dictionary
nitrosamine

nitrosamine

2 9.4
A chemical that forms in some processed foods and can cause cancer
  • noun
  • /naɪˈtroʊsəˌmiːn/
  • Specialized
: nitrosamina
  • I too was concerned about nitrosamines from cooking with bacon fat, as it tends to have a fairly low smoke point.
  • tobacco-specific nitrosamine
  • nitrosamine-induced cancers

These include nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, hydrocarbons, all of which are recognized as being carcinogenic.

Examples

  • As a result, industry changed its processing procedures, minimizing consumer exposure to nitrosamines.

    Academic text (2003)

  • There's no convincing evidence that nitrites or nitrosamines cause cancer.

    Blog text (25)

  • Based on our results, beer had the largest estimated amount of nitrosamine per serving.

    Blog text (25)

  • As you say, without an amine you cannot make nitrosamines.

    Blog text (25)

  • It seems that this effect could, in part, be alleviated by reducing nitrosamine levels.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Wine and liquor contain relatively little nitrosamines per serving, with values of 0.019 and 0.027 g, respectively.

    Blog text (25)

  • The nitrates found in processed meats are frequently converted into nitrosamines, which are clearly associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.

    Blog text (10)

  • These include nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, hydrocarbons, all of which are recognized as being carcinogenic.

    FoundMyFitness

  • Cottage or ricotta cheese, fish, and bacon contain high levels of nitrosamines with 0.266, 0.222, and 0.219 g/serving, respectively.

    Blog text (25)

  • In certain types of processed meat, nitrosamines are formed during cooking, raising concerns about their carcinogenic effects.

Surface Forms

nitrosamine singular
nitrosamines plural

Morphology

nitrosamine = amine (opaque) = nitroso + amine

Although morphologically analyzable as 'nitroso' + 'amine', both elements are technical chemical terms unlikely to yield meaning for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Nitrosamine comes from two parts, nitroso from 'nitrogen' the gas, and amine from 'ammonia' a simple nitrogen chemical. So a nitrosamine is a chemical with a nitroso part attached to an amine part, which explains how they can form from nitrites and amines and why some are linked to cancer.