Exposure assessment and risk characterization of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the diet of children from 6 to 36 months in Hanoi, Vietnam

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a highly hepatotoxic compound and classified as group 2A according to IARC, which is probably carcinogenic to humans. The habit of consumption of grilled meat-based foods may lead to a health risk, especially in children. In this study, a food consumption survey was conducted in 4 districts (2 in urban and 2 in suburban areas) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Food samples in the diet of children from 6 to 36 months was collected and tested for NDMA by GC-MS/MS method. Total exposure dose was calculated and compared to the proposed tolerable daily intake (TDI) to characterize the risk. Among the food tested, NDMA was detected in canned puree, grilled meat and sausage. The average contents of NDMA were 1.50 µg/kg, 1.18 µg/kg and 0.20 µg/kg in grilled meat, sausage and puree, respectively. The average total daily exposure dose of NDMA was 8.23 ng/kg bw/day in all studied group, which were within the upper recommended TDI (9.3 ng/kg bw/day). With a certain assumption, the cancer risk caused by exposure to NDMA were higher than the recommended value of WHO.