Volatile and nonvolatile nitrosamines in beer

Abstract
The occurence ofN-nitroso compounds was investigated at different stages in the production of four different beer types and in 14 retail beer samples. Only twoN-nitroso compounds, namelyN-nitrosodimethylamine (0.17±0.18 μg/kg; not detected to 0.60 μg/kg) andN-nitrosoproline (1.51±1.01 μ/kg; range 0.5–3.60 μg/kg) were detected. For moderate beer drinkers, theN-nitrosodimethylamine exposure levels are unlikely to present a significant health risk while the presence of noncarcinogenicN-nitrosoproline does not pose any hazard to human health.