The carcinogenicity of N-nitrosodiethanolamine, an environmental pollutant, in Syrian hamsters.

Weekly subcutaneous injections of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) at doses of 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg body wt for life induced tumors in Syrian hamsters which primarily affected the upper respiratory tract. The incidence of these malignant neoplasms arising exclusively from the olfactory region was between 73% (highest dose) and 35% (lowest dose). Lower numbers of neoplasms were found with decreasing frequency in the trachea, larynx and lungs. The results indicate that doses of NDELA lower than 250 mg/kg body wt may also be carcinogenic. Hence, NDELA and its precursors should be regarded as hazardous to human health.