W. Mathar

PCDD and PCDF body burden from food intake in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract PCDFs and PCDDs were analyzed by GCMS in 22 samples of different foodstuffs collected in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The results revealed levels in the ppq and ppt range; they were used for an assessment of the daily intake.

Levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in adipose tissue of occupationally exposed workers

Abstract Samples of adipose tissue from 45 occupationally exposed employees of a chemical plant and - as controls - from 21 persons resident in Hamburg, Germany have been analysed for PCDDs and PCDFs by HRGC-HRMS. For TCDD and some other compounds, the results include the highest concentrations ever found in humans. Correlations between chloracne and dioxin levels are discussed.

PCDDs, PCDFs, and related contaminants in the German food supply

Abstract More than 1500 samples of human milk were analysed for PCDD and PCDF in Germany showing a range of 6 – 87 pg I-TEq/g milk fat. On the basis of these concentrations, an average daily intake of 15 pg 2,3,7,8-TCDD/kg BW/d and 147 pg I-TEq/kg BW/d was calculated for breast-fed infants. On the basis of several hundred analyses, average PCDD/PCDF levels in German foods were determined. Food of animal origin contributed most to the body burden of humans, whereas PCDD/PCDF in fruit and vegetables usually were of minor importance. For adult persons an average daily intake of 0.3 pg 2,3,7,8-TCDD/kg BW/d and 2 pg I-TEq/kg BW/d was derived on the basis of data on PCDD/PCDF concentrations in German food. Three groups of foods - namely dairy products, meat and fish - accounted for approximately 30 % each of the body burden. Sources other than food (soil, air, cigarettes and paper coming into contact with food) were of minor importance and accounted for less than 10 % as referred to the daily intake from food. Due to the lifelong intake, PCDD/PCDF levels in humans increase continously with age.

Occurrence of PCDD and PCDF in different kinds of paper

Abstract PCDD and PCDF were determined in 5 samples of paper with amounts mainly in the ppt range. About a fifth of the isomers belongs to the toxic tetra, penta and hexa 2,3,7,8-substituted compounds. 2,3,7,8-TCDF has been analyzed in relatively high amounts, whereas hepta and octa congeners were comparatively low.

Levels of PCDFs and PCDDs in samples of human origin and food in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract PCDFs and PCDDs were analyzed in human and cows milk of German origin in ppt amounts (fat weight basis) by GC-MS. The results revealed a strong conformity of the isomeric distribution patterns. The amounts found in cows milk were distinctly smaller than those in human milk. The highest correlation coefficients were found for congeners with the same or nearly the same degree of chlorination.

Dependence of PCDD and PCDF levels in human milk on various parameters in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Abstract Investigations into the regional dependence of PCDF and PCDD concentrations in human milk were the subject of this study. Therefore, 74 samples from different areas of the Federal Republic of Germany were selected according to various emission sources (municipal waste incinerators, motor vehicle exhaust, domestic heating, industry, PCP producing plant, power plants etc.). The analytical results reveal a homogeneous concentration distribution in general and show a consistency in the isomeric patterns.

PCDDs, PCDFs and related compounds in paper products

Abstract PCDDs and PCDFs were isomer-specifically determined by HRGC-HRMS in different samples of coffee filter paper. 2,3,7,8-TCDD and -TCDF turned out to be the most abundant congeners in the lower ppt-range. Besides these compounds several congeners of different alkylated TCDFs in distinctly higher concentrations were identified. About 20 – 35 % of TCDD, TCDF, and alkylated TCDFs passed from the coffee filter into the coffee extract in a simulated coffee brewing process. The results of this study were used for an estimation of the daily intake of these compounds by a coffee drinker.

Influence of different regional emissions and cardboard containers on levels of PCDD, PCDF and related compounds in cow milk

Abstract Milk samples of different origin were analyzed for PCDDs, PCDFs and related compounds and compared with samples from rural regions with a normal background contamination. PCDD and PCDF concentrations in milk from an industrialized area were nearly 3 times higher and levels in milk from the vicinity of a metal reclamation plant were about 10 times higher than in rural milk. For milk samples packaged in cardboard containers, a transfer of about 10 % for TCDD Equivalents from paper into milk was determined. Additionally, for other compounds characteristic of paper, the transfer was estimated to be in the same range.

3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl in human fat and milk samples

Abstract Samples of adipose tissue from 7 male persons and 10 samples of human milk were analyzed for 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl by HRGC-HRMS. The levels found are in the lower ppt-range on a fat weight basis

Determination of PCDDs and PCDFs in Irgasan DP 300

Abstract Three samples of Irgasan DP 300 were analyzed for PCDDs and PCDFs. No 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners could be determined at a detection limit of 5 ppt whereas di- and trichlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans could be found in the ppb range.