N -Nitroso Compounds: Evidence for Their Presence in Airborne Particles

Chemical, infrared, and thermal energy analyses have provided evidence for the presence of the N -nitroso functional group in extracts of airborne particles. The total molar N -nitroso concentrations in New York City air are equivalent to the total concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Since 90 percent of the N -nitroso compounds that have been tested are carcinogens, the newly discovered but untested materials may represent a significant environmental hazard.