Seasonal variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congener profiles in butter in Poland: dietary risk evaluation

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in dairy products by modified QuEChERS/GC-QqQ-MS/MS method: A risk assessment study

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain. The purpose of the present research was to assess non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) in some dairy products (yogurt, doogh, and kashk) using modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) technique and gas chromatography-triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) method and risk assessment study. The LOQs (limit of quantifications), LODs (limit of detections), recovery, and RSD for the PCB analytes were 0.180-0.360, 0.06-0.12 ng/g fat, 97.45-102.63%, and 6.33-8.86%, respectively. The results revealed that the mean concentrations of Ʃ6-NDL-PCBs in samples were 15.17 ± 3.44 ng/g fat, which was lower than the standard level established by European Union (EU, 40 ng/g fat). The maximum mean level was PCB 180 (9.98 ± 2.04 ng/g fat) and the minimum mean level of PCBs in samples was PCB 28 (0.09 ± 0.06 ng/g fat). Also, results showed that kashk samples had a maximum mean level of 6-NDL-PCBs (18.66 ± 2.42 ng/g fat) and doogh samples had a minimum mean level of 6-NDL-PCBs (12.21 ± 2.22 ng/g fat). The mean level of 6-NDL-PCBs in yogurt samples was 14.65 ± 2.02 ng/g fat. The heat map results showed the correlation between the spectral indices of 6-NDL-PCBs in different dairy products. According to the Monte Carlo method, risk assessment was done using calculating the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR). The EDI values of 6 NDL-PCBs based on the 95th percentile in yogurt, doogh, and kashk were 14.3, 1.49, and 0.5 ng/kg.day, respectively. Considering that the contaminant level in the samples is lower than the EU limit, it can be concluded that dietary exposure to 6 NDL-PCBs may not pose a risk to the health of consumers.

Food contamination by PCBs and waste disposal crisis: Evidence from goat milk in Campania (Italy)

AIM

The study aims at investigating whether, and if so, to what extent the strong presence of urban and industrial waste in a territory may cause PCB contamination in goat milk produced therein.

METHODS

We compared PCB concentrations in goat milk from three different locations in the Campania region (Italy). One of the three locations, together with its surrounding area, has long suffered from illegal waste disposal and burning mainly by the so-called Ecomafia. The other locations, not involved in these illegal activities, allowed us to create a control group of goats with characteristics very similar to those of main interest.

RESULTS

In milk from the waste contaminated area we identified high PCB concentrations (six indicator PCBs amounted to 170 ng g^-1 on lipid weight, on average), whereas there was an almost total absence of such pollutants in milk from the control group. Concentrations of the six indicator PCBs were above the current European maximum residue limit fixed by the EU. At the same time, we found a lower average value of lipid content and a negative relationship between lipid content and PCB concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Evidence indicates the potential health risk for consumers living in areas involved in illegal dumping of waste.

Influence of hen breeding type on PCDD/F, PCB & PBDE levels in eggs

The aim of this study was to assess levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in free range eggs and in farm eggs available on the Polish retail market. Congener profiles that might be used to identify different sources of contamination have also been assessed. Generally higher mean values of PCDD/F, PCB and PBDEs found in free range eggs than in farm eggs reflect occurrence of highly contaminated samples. However, medians were similar in both groups; PCDD/F medians were even higher in farm eggs. High concentrations (accompanied by changed congener profile) indicate contamination sources other than environmental background. Congener profiles and absolute concentration values found in majority of the tested samples from both groups were typical for environmental background of the studied persistent organic pollutants. Due to their small market share free range eggs do not seem to pose any essential threat to human health.