F Smith

Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) in Irish food of animal origin.

Brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) and 17 polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) congeners including BDE-209 were analysed in 100 composite samples of commonly consumed foods of animal origin, prepared from ten to 40 individual subsamples of each type. These included 30 samples of milk from farms; eggs from chickens; fat from cows, pigs, sheep, and poultry; and liver from cows, pigs, sheep, horses, and poultry. The ISO 17025-accredited analytical methodology used, follows similar guidelines as given for chlorinated dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in European Commission Directive 2002/69/EC. Apart from some samples of milk, PBDD/Fs and PBDEs were detected in all food types. Concentrations ranged from 0.31 µg kg−1 Σ17 PBDEs for a sample of milk to 37.5 µg kg−1 Σ17 PBDEs for a sample of liver. The corresponding range for the PBDD/F toxicity (computed using analogous PCDD/F toxic equivalency factors (TEFs)) was 0.09 ng TEQ kg−1 to approximately 3.5 ng TEQ kg−1. The detection of these compounds, in particular PBDD/Fs, is consistent with the increased use and disposal of brominated organic compounds.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in Irish foods: occurrence and human dietary exposure

The concentrations of selected polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) congeners (PCNs 52, 53, 66/67, 68, 69, 71/72, 73, 74 and 75) were determined in 100 commonly consumed foods, in the first study on occurrence of these contaminants in the Republic of Ireland. Congener selection was based on current knowledge on PCN occurrence and toxicology, and the availability of reliable reference standards. The determinations were carried out using validated analytical methodology based on 13C10 labelled internal standardisation and measurement by HRGC-HRMS. The results showed PCN occurrence in the majority of studied foods--milk, fish, dairy and meat products, eggs, animal fat, shellfish, offal, vegetables, cereal products, etc. ranging from 0.09 ng kg(-1) whole weight for milk to 59.3 ng kg(-1) whole weight for fish, for the sum of the measured PCNs. The most frequently detected congeners were PCNs 66/67, PCN 52, and PCN 73. The highest concentrations were observed in fish, which generally showed congener profiles that reflect some commercial mixtures. The data compares well with other recently reported data for Western Europe. The dioxin-like toxicity (PCN TEQ) associated with these concentrations is lower than that reported for chlorinated dioxins or PCBs in food from Ireland. The dietary exposure of the Irish adult population to PCNs was calculated following a probabilistic approach, using the full dataset of occurrence and current consumption data. The estimates of dietary intakes at approximately 0.14 pg TEQ kg bw(-1) month(-1) for adults on an average diet, reflects the relatively lower occurrence levels.

Mixed brominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls: Simultaneous congener-selective determination in food

Of the 4600 individual poly-halogenated (bromo-chloro) dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzo-furans (PXDD/Fs) and 9180 poly-halogenated biphenyls (PXBs), 19 compounds were selected for analysis in food, based on current toxicological knowledge, chemical configuration, type and degree of halogenation, and the limited knowledge on environmental occurrence levels. The selection was also tempered by the availability of reliable analytical standards. The analytical methodology designed to allow simultaneous determination of PXDD/Fs and PXBs, was based on internal standardisation with (13)C(12) labelled compounds and high resolution mass spectrometry and involved a new separation procedure using dual activated carbon column fractionation. In order to unambiguously measure these compounds a practical, higher mass resolution (13,500-15,000 res) was used, coupled with a judicious choice of analyte ions and relative ion ratios. Further specificity was incorporated by exploiting the differences in chromatographic retention from those of potential interferants. The methodology was validated and used to measure occurrence levels of these contaminants in different matrices such as milk, meat, fish, eggs, offal, shellfish and soil. The limits of detection achieved by this methodology ranged from 0.005 to 0.02ngkg(-1) fat for foods. The analyses revealed the presence of both PXDD/Fs and PXBs, with the latter occurring to a greater extent, followed by PXDFs. This work represents the first targeted approach to measuring a range of individual PXDD/Fs and PXBs simultaneously.

Mixed halogenated dioxins/furans (PXDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PXBs) in food: Occurrence and toxic equivalent exposure using specific relative potencies

The occurrence of nineteen mixed halogenated (bromo-chloro) dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PXDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PXBs) in a range of foods (n>100) was investigated. The analytical methodology used dual activated carbon column fractionation with high resolution mass spectrometric measurement (13,500-15,000 res). Occurrence was observed in most commonly consumed foods but the most frequent detections of these environmental contaminants were made in shellfish and offal. The concentrations of the individual compounds were condensed into toxic equivalents (TEQs) using recently reported relative potency values. Although representing only a small subset of the full range of toxic PXDD/Fs and PXBs, the TEQs estimated for these compounds ranged from 0.2% to approximately 15% (depending on the food matrix) of the corresponding TEQ for the fully chlorinated analogues. This finding is of great toxicological importance as it implies that a potentially greater magnitude of TEQ could be associated with the full range of toxic PXDD/Fs and PXBs, thus making a significant contribution to dioxin-like toxicity from the diet, to human exposure.

Transfer and uptake of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into sheep: a case study.

Abstract: This chapter discusses the uptake of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present at background levels into farm animals, specifically sheep, reared in accordance with common commercial practices. Residues measured in samples of grass, soil, feed and milk were used to determine input flux. Residues in samples of lamb meat, kidney and liver were used in conjunction with calculated input fluxes to determine biotransfer factors for selected compounds. Residues found were in agreement with those reported in previous studies. Biotransfer factors presented here can be used to assess the possibility of lamb liver exceeding EU maximum toxic equivalents (TEQ) values.