N-nitrosamines in the saliva of tobacco chewers or masheri users.

Saliva was collected from men and women who were habitual chewers of tobacco (with lime or betel quid) and from women who used masheri. The saliva was analysed for tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). TSNAs were detected in the saliva of all tobacco users, but within each habit group there were wide variations between donors in salivary nitrosamine levels. TSNA levels in the saliva from men and women chewing betel quid and tobacco were similar, although women used less tobacco for chewing. The saliva of men who chewed tobacco with lime contained higher levels of TSNAs than did that of men who chewed betel quid with tobacco.