Nitrites are present in the food chain as naturally occurring species or contaminants. Additionally, sodium and potassium nitrites are authorised food additives. Nitrites exert acute toxicity through methemoglobinemia or cardiovascular effects, chronic toxicity associated with endocrine, reproductive and developmental effects and have been classified as probable gastric carcinogens. Ingestion of food and water are the main sources of human exposure. This study comprises a tiered risk assessment of nitrites for the Austrian adult population, along with the identification of the food categories most contributing to their intake. The dietary exposure, based on Austrian occurrence and consumption data, was modelled with the Monte Carlo simulation method. In an additional scenario, data gaps were addressed with the usage of occurrence data published by the European Food Safety Authority and from the available literature to account for the exposure from all sources. Risk estimates regarding only the exposure to nitrite additives and to contaminated water indicate low level of concern. However, when exposure from all sources is considered, the estimated exposure is elevated and exceeds the Acceptable Daily Intake for high consumers. Mean exposure attributed to the use of nitrites as additives accounts for only a very small proportion of the total intake.

亚硝酸盐以天然存在的物种或污染物的形式存在于食物链中。此外，亚硝酸钠和亚硝酸钾是授权的食品添加剂。亚硝酸盐通过高铁血红蛋白血症或心血管疾病产生急性毒性，与内分泌，生殖和发育影响相关的慢性毒性，已被分类为可能的胃癌物质。摄入食物和水是人体暴露的主要来源。这项研究包括对奥地利成年人口亚硝酸盐的分层风险评估，以及确定最有助于其摄入的食物类别。基于奥地利发生和消费数据的饮食暴露量，采用蒙特卡洛模拟方法进行建模。在其他情况下，通过使用欧洲食品安全局和现有文献中出现的数据来弥补所有来源的暴露，解决了数据缺口。仅关于暴露于亚硝酸盐添加剂和受污染水的风险估计表明关注程度很低。但是，当考虑到所有来源的暴露量时，估计的暴露量会增加，并且超出高消费者的可接受的每日摄入量。使用亚硝酸盐作为添加剂的平均暴露量仅占总摄入量的很小一部分。如果考虑所有来源的暴露量，则估算的暴露量会增加，并超过高级消费者可接受的每日摄入量。使用亚硝酸盐作为添加剂的平均暴露量仅占总摄入量的很小一部分。如果考虑所有来源的暴露量，则估计的暴露量会增加，并超过高级消费者可接受的每日摄入量。使用亚硝酸盐作为添加剂的平均暴露量仅占总摄入量的很小一部分。