Production guidelines caution burley tobacco growers against using water sprays to bring tobacco into case and storing high-moisture tobacco because of concerns that these practices can lead to the accumulation of TSNAs. A series of experiments over three years was done to test whether this is indeed the case. Low and a high converter burley tobacco lines were brought into order using several methods: naturally, in a conditioning chamber, with steam and with a mist or spray of water from a hosepipe. Samples for moisture content, alkaloids, TSNAs and nitrate and nitrite nitrogen were taken at takedown, before bulking and after 14 days in the bulk. The method of ordering did not cause an increase of TSNAs in any of the tests. After 14 days in a bulk, there was no increase in TSNA accumualtion as the moisture content of the tobacco increased. The method of application however, did make a difference to moisture content of the tobacco, more because of the difficulty of distributing the water evenly if a coarse spray or even a mist were used. Takedown and stripping in Kentucky is typically done between November and February when the average low temperatures are just below freezing and the average high temperatures are 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). In warmer production areas, especially those with higher humidity, there could still be some effect of ordering on TSNA accumulation, especially at higher moisture contents. (Reprinted with permission)