Possible Microbial Contribution to Nitrosamine Formation in Sewage and Soil

Abstract

Microorganisms in sewage converted trimethylamine to dimethylamine (DMA) and also produced dimethylnitrosamine. DMA formation was solely the result of microbial activity; most of the nitrosamine generated from added DMA and nitrite at neutral pH was a consequence of microbial metabolism. The nitrosamine also formed in acid soil from DMA and in acid sewage from the fungicide thiram. Although nitrosamines have not yet been found, or actively sought, in unamended sewage or soil, these findings indicate a potential for their formation in such environments.