preferred the three component compositions hereof preferably have the alkylphenol ethoxylate component present at a level of from about 0 5 65 by weight more preferably about 30 50 by weight the amine component present at a level of from about 0 5 50 by weight more preferably about 5 20 by weight and the alkali metal nitrite component present at a level of from about 0 5 70 by weight more preferably from about 40 60 by weight the single most preferred composition includes about 40 by weight alkylphenol ethoxylate about 10 by weight amine and about 50 by weight alkali metal nitrite where two component compositions are employed containing an alkylphenol ethoxylate and a nitrite the alkylphenol ethoxylate component should be present at a level of from about 0 5 to 90 by weight more preferably from about 30 to 60 by weight the nitrite component should be used at a level of from about 10 to 99 5 by weight more preferably from about 40 to 70 by weight similarly where a two component composition comprising and amine and a nitrite are used the nitrite should be present at a level of from about 10 to 99 5 by weight more preferably from about 40 to 70 by weight the amine should be used at a level of from about 0 5 to 90 by weight more preferably from about 30 to 60 by weight the compositions of the invention may be prepared as solids in the form of pellets balls or sticks or as aqueous dispersions in the case.