Potential for nitrosamine formation in seven fishery chemicals

In recent years, nitrosamines have been reported as possible causes of cancer, mutations, or birth defects. Inasmuch as these compounds may be formed by the interaction of certain amines with nitrite in the aquatic environment, we evaluated seven fishery chemicals for their potential to form nitrosamines: the experimental fish toxicant digeranylethanolamine (GD‐174); the four therapeutants Terramycin, erythromycin, Hyamine 1622, and Hyamine 3500; and the two tracer dyes rhodamine B and rhodamine WT. The results indicate that the controlled use of the seven fishery chemicals in natural environments will not lead to the formation of nitrosamines.