Does nitrite cause childhood cancers or leukemia?
No, there is no credible scientific evidence that nitrite or cured foods cause or contribute to childhood cancers or leukemia. At one time, epidemiological reports associating these factors garnered much media attention. However, these studies had limitations, mixed findings and, as all epidemiological studies, could not prove cause and effect. Evidence from animal studies of the biological plausibility of nitrite causing childhood cancers is too limited to give weight to the epidemiological reports. How are NOCs formed? NOCs, including nitrosamines and nitrosamides, are formed by a process called N-nitrosation. With the presence of nitrite, this process can take place in the human stomach. (Because nitrosamines are much more stable after food processing than nitrosamides, they are of greater potential concern.) Nitrite can be introduced in the stomach by consuming foods that contain it and from endogenous conversion of nitrate to nitrite. Nitrate can be derived from dietary sources or
