Concentration of DL-PCBs in fish from market of Parma city (north Italy): Estimated human intake

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2011-02, Vol.82 (9), p.1293-1300
• Main Authors: Mezzetta, S., Cirlini, M., Ceron, P., Tecleanu, A., Caligiani, A., Palla, G., Sansebastiano, G.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body weight; Congeners; Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs); Dioxins - analysis; Dioxins - metabolism; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Estimated intake; Fish; Fishes - metabolism; Food Contamination; Health; Human; Humans; Intakes; Italy; Markets; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - metabolism; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk; Seafood - analysis; Seafood - statistics & numerical data; TEQ; Toxicology; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Pollution, Chemical - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.12.028

► We have determined the concentrations of 12 congeners of DL-PCBs in 30 fish samples from Parma (Italy) markets by GC/MS technique. ► We have calculated TEQ concentrations of DL-PCBs in fish samples, observing that it remained well below the existing Italian limit of 4 pg g −1 ww WHO-TEQ, except for eel, smooth-hound and starry smooth-hound. ► MDI (Medium Daily Intake) for DL-PCBs was also estimated for the Parma population and it resulted minor than 2 pg g −1 ww WHO-TEQ kg −1 body weight, exceeding only in four cases, but the situation seems to be not at a level sufficient to pose a risk to human health. The concentrations of 12 congeners of non-ortho and mono-ortho dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣDL-PCB) were measured in 30 fish samples from Parma markets by GC/MS technique. The samples were randomly purchased, choosing the species commonly found in supermarkets. The concentration of DL-PCBs estimated remained under the fixed Italian limit of 4 pg g −1 ww WHO-TEQ (World Health Organization–Toxic Equivalent) in the major part of the samples, so the situation seems to be not at a level sufficient to pose a risk to human health of the Parma population. The medium daily intake for DL-PCBs for Italian consumers (Parma) was also estimated. This value generally resulted minor than 2 pg g −1 ww WHO-TEQ kg −1 body weight, exceeding only in four cases: eel, smooth hound, starry smooth hound and tuna.