Dietary intake of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs, due to the consumption of various marine organisms from Korea

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) residues were measured in 70 marine organisms (40 species) from Korean coastal waters. The PCDD/Fs residues in the organisms varied from 0.02 to 4.39 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight and the DL-PCBs residues varied from 0.008 to 6.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight. The levels in fish from Korean coastal waters were comparable to those found in other countries. Comparing organism groups, the highest PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs residues were recorded in crustaceans, followed by fish, cephalopods, bivalves and gastropods. Although the congener distributions of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in the organism groups were different, the dominant contributors to the total TEQ concentrations in all groups were 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (PeCDF), 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD) and PCB 126. The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs from the consumption of marine organisms in Korea was estimated to be 0.68 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bodyweight/day. The contribution of DL-PCBs to the total dietary intake from all organisms groups averaged 60%. The relative contribution of each organism group to the total dietary intake was, in descending order: fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, bivalves and gastropods. The current dietary intake was lower than those in countries with a similar dietary pattern to Korea, but higher than those in countries with smaller quantities of seafood consumption.     

Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in raw cow's milk collected in France in 2006

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread environmental contaminants. A French national survey was carried out in April 2006 to assess the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) in raw cow's milk. A random sampling scheme stratified by region was applied to collect 239 raw milk samples from 93 plants belonging to 17 dairy companies. Compared to a previous survey led in 1998 analyzing half-skimmed drinking milk in France, the PCDD/Fs level was cut by half, with an average concentration of 0.33 pg toxic equivalent (TEQ)/g fat in 2006. The mean DL-PCBs concentration was 0.57 pg TEQ/g fat and subsequently the sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs was 0.90 pg/g fat, values below the thresholds defined by the European Union regulations.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls levels in human breast milk from different regions of Turkey

Human breast milk offers the optimal nutrition for all infants and have been widely used in biomonitoring programs to assess human exposure to lipophylic environmental contaminants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). There are no previous reports from Turkey on chemically determined levels of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in human breast milk expressed as World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalents (TEQ). To get an overview of the levels of these contaminants in Turkish human milk, samples from 51 Turkish women living in the Ankara, İstanbul, Antalya, Kahramanmaraş, and Afyon provinces were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) throughout 2007. The mean concentrations of WHO_PCDD/F-TEQ and WHO_PCB-TEQ of all samples from the five regions were 7.5 and 3.1 pg g⁻¹ on a lipid basis, respectively. PCDD/F concentrations ranged between 0.78 and 29.3 pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fat (1.7 and 36.2 pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fat, respectively, including PCB). Of the five studied locations, the lowest levels of ∑TEQs (PCDD/F + PCB) were found in the Afyon (6.8 pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fat) and the highest in the Antalya (15.6 pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fat) province. The results have been discussed in terms of regions and PCDD/F and PCBs for which analyses had been made. The mean levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in Turkish human milk are comparable to that found in other countries.     

Levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods and estimated dietary intake for the local residents of Luqiao and Yuhang in Zhejiang, China

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were measured by high resolution gas chromatograph/high resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS) in six food groups from Luqiao (LQ) where the e-waste has been recycled and from Yuhang (YH) where the agriculture dominates in Zhejiang Province in China. The total WHO-TEQ values of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods from LQ were significantly much higher than those from YH. The highest level of the total WHO-TEQ was in crucian carp (10.87 pg g(-1) w.w.) followed by duck (3.77 pg g(-1) w.w.), hen eggs (2.80 pg g(-1) w.w.), chicken (2.43 pg g(-1) w.w.), rice (0.08 pg g(-1) w.w.) and vegetables (0.022 pg g(-1) w.w.) in LQ. By contrast, the highest levels were measured in duck (0.74 pg g(-1) w.w.) followed by hen eggs (0.69 pg g(-1) w.w.), crucian carp (0.55 pg g(-1) w.w.), chicken (0.44 pg g(-1) w.w.), vegetables (0.002 pg g(-1) w.w.) and rice (0.0002 pg g(-1) w.w.) in YH, respectively. The monthly intake of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs for the local residents was 401.75 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1) w.w. in LQ, which is above the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). We determined a monthly intake of 37.13 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1)w.w. in YH, which is below the PTMI. Crucian carp was the predominant contributor to the estimated monthly intake (EMI), accounting for 67.74% and 36.51% in LQ and YH, respectively. High levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods indicate severe contamination of these pollutants in the e-waste recycling site.     

Concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like PCBs in human adipose tissue from Turkish men

There is no previous report from Turkey on chemically determined polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human tissues expressed as World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalents (TEQs). The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of PCDDs/Fs, and dioxin-like PCBs in the general adult Turkish population. For this reason we measured adipose tissue concentrations of PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in 23 Turkish men living in Ankara,Turkey in 2004. PCDD/F concentrations ranged between 3.2 and 19.7 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat (5.34 and 42.7 WHO-TEQ/g fat, respectively, including dioxin-like PCBs). The mean concentrations of WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ and WHO(PCB)-TEQ were 9.2 and 6.67 pg/g on a lipid basis , respectively. Samples were analyzed for PCDD/F and twelve dioxin-like PCB congeners using high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). This study is very important since it is the first report on PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCB contamination in human adipose tissue from Turkey.     

Levels and congener distributions of PCDDs,PCDFs and non-ortho PCBs in Belgian foodstuffs--assessment of dietary intake

Congener-specific analyses of 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 4 non-ortho (coplanar) polychlorinated biphenyls (cPCBs) were performed on 197 foodstuffs samples of animal origin from Belgium during years 2000 and 2001. All investigated matrices (except horse) present background levels lower than the Belgian non-commercialization value of 5 pg TEQ/g fat. Pork was the meat containing the lowest concentration of both PCDD/Fs and cPCBs. The mean background concentration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxicity equivalent in milk was 1.1 pg/g of fat, with a congener distribution typical of non-contaminated milk. The relative contribution of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF to the PCDD/Fs TEQ was 85+/-7.9% for all investigated matrices. The cPCBs contribution to the total TEQ was 47+/-19.0% for products of terrestrial species and 69+/-20.0% for aquatic species. Once the contribution of cPCBs was added to the TEQ, few foodstuffs such as horse, sheep, beef, eggs and cheese presented levels above the future European guidelines that currently only include PCDD/Fs but will be re-evaluated later in order to include 'dioxin-like' PCBs. Based on levels measured in the samples, the estimation of the dietary intake was 65.3 pg WHO-TEQ/day for PCDD/Fs only (1.00 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/day, for a 65 kg person) and 132.9 pg WHO-TEQ/day if cPCBs were included (2.04 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/day, for a 65 kg person). Meat (mainly beef), dairy products, and fish each account for roughly one third of the intake.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments and aquatic organisms from the Taihu Lake, China

Sediments at 16 sites and muscles of four aquatic species collected in Taihu Lake were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by HRGC/HRMS. The concentrations of total PCDD/Fs, PCBs and WHO-TEQ were 120.1-1315.1pg/gdw, 889.7-29747.8pg/gdw, and 0.83-17.72pgTEQ/gdw, respectively in sediments; and those in muscles were 5.49-35.84pg/gww, 1517.10-27647.98pg/gww, and 0.52-3.83pgTEQ/gww respectively. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the sediments were decreasing gradually along the water flow. The pollution levels were compared with other studies and the possible sources were discussed.     

流化床垃圾焚烧炉产生的有毒二噁英同类物分布研究

测定了流化床垃圾焚烧炉焚烧产生的飞灰、烟尘和烟气中的2，3，7，8位氯取代二噁英同类物的含量及其毒性当量。结果表明，产生的二噁英主要存在于飞灰中，烟气中的含量很少。飞灰中二噁英总浓度和毒性当量分别为8.44ng／g和0．80ng／g，经过布袋除尘器后的烟尘和烟气中二噁英的浓度之和与毒性当量之和分别为0．34ng／m^3和0．02ng／m^3，而布袋除尘器前的烟尘和烟气中二噁英的浓度之和与毒性当量之和分别为40．78ng／m^3和3．0ng／m^3。飞灰和烟尘中2，3，7，8位氯取代二噁英同类物的分布相似，但是与烟气中2，3，7，8位氯取代二噁英同类物的分布差别较大。通过了解有毒二噁英同类物的分布，可以进一步优化流化床垃圾焚烧炉的焚烧条件，降低二噁英的排放量，减少垃圾焚烧对环境的污染。     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in fresh fishes from Qiantangjiang River, China

Muscles of two species of fish collected in Qiangtangjiang River were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Average concentrations of total PCDD/Fs in Crucian carp and White Amur bream were 1.14-7.88 pg g(-1)ww and 1.02-8.18 pg g(-1)ww respectively. Corresponding values for PCBs were 469.36-10972 pg g(-1)ww and 364.79-4948.0 pg g(-1)ww. Average total WHO-TEQ of Crucian carp and White Amur bream from five areas ranged from 0.25 to 2.33 pg g(-1)ww and 0.30 to 1.70 pg g(-1)ww. The contamination level was compared with other studies and risk assessment was discussed.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and 'dioxin-like' PCBs in flue gas emissions from municipal waste management plants

The aim of this work is to give representative data on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) from stack gas emissions of an urban solid waste management plant which has to comply with the limit of 0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm3. In particular, the study is focused on 29 target compounds, the seventeen 2,3,7,8-PCDDs/Fs, four non-ortho PCBs and eight mono-ortho PCBs which configure so-called 'dioxin-like' PCBs (DL-PCBs). To this end, emission measurements were performed during one year over the three operating combustion lines in a selected waste management plant. In general, accurate methodology allowed characterizing all target compounds in almost all the samples analyzed. In addition, a typical pattern for DL-PCBs is reported. The pattern presented PCB #118 to be the highest, nevertheless the figures demonstrated DL-PCBs contribution to the total TEQ around 3% being PCB #126 the most important congener due to its TEF of 0.1. Finally, remarkable differences were achieved in comparison with both environmental and biological samples such as soils, sediments, human milk or fish since these matrices may present DL-PCB contribution to the total TEQ up to 77%.     

Development and validation of a method for analysis of "dioxin-like" PCBs in environmental samples from the steel industry

A method, previously used for determination of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), has been modified for quantitative analysis of "dioxin-like" polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in environmental samples from the steel industry. The existing sample clean-up procedure, involving liquid chromatography on multi-layered silica and Florisil columns, has been extended to include a third chromatography stage on a basic alumina stationary phase. The additional clean-up stage is required for PCB analysis in order to eliminate interferences from relatively large concentrations of saturated cyclic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Samples were analysed for WHO-12 congeners using high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) and standard solutions of the method US EPA 1668A. Replicate analysis of method blanks revealed background contamination for PCBs 118, 105 and 77, which are generally abundant in ambient air. These contaminants were taken into account using a subtraction method. The entire procedure was validated by replicate analysis (N = 3) of a certified reference sediment. The RSD for each WHO-12 congener was below 15%, 13C12-labelled PCB internal standard recoveries were in the range 70-95%. A waste dust sample collected in the electrostatic precipitator of a UK sinter plant was analysed for determination of PCDD/Fs and WHO-12 PCBs and exhibited a PCDD/F I-TEQ of 148.5 +/- 21.2 ngkg(-1) and a WHO-TEQ of 7.2 +/- 1.5 ngkg(-1). WHO-12 congeners contributed only 4.6% to the overall TEQ and PCB 126 was the major congener contributing to the WHO-TEQ (96%). The contribution to the overall TEQ of the waste dust sample was mainly attributed to PCDF followed by PCDD, which accounted for 86.6% and 8.7% to the overall TEQ, respectively.     

Monitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and feed samples from Ismailia city, Egypt

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined using GC/HRMS in food (butter, seafood and meat) and feed samples (chicken, cattle and fish) purchased from Ismailia city, Egypt. PCDD/F concentrations in food samples ranged between 0.12 and 3.35 pg WHO TEQ/g wet w, while those in feed samples were between 0.08 and 0.2 pg WHO TEQ/g dry w. Levels of PCB TEQ ranged from 0.14 to 3.2 pg/g wet w in the food samples. The feed samples have an average of 0.35 pg PCB TEQ /g dry w. In this study, butter samples showed the highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The PCBs contribution to the total TEQ was on average 63% in seafood and on average 49% for meat and butter. The highest contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were found in butter samples. The butter TEQ content is several times higher than that reported in all EU countries and exceeded the EU limits, while the PCDD/F levels in seafood and the feed samples is far below the current EU limit. Generally, congener profiles in the food samples reflect the non-industrialized nature of the city and suggest solid waste burning as a significant source of emission. Nevertheless, the profiles for butter suggest an impact from various sources. In the case of the sum of 16 PAH contamination levels in food samples were in the range of 11.7-154.3 ng/g wet w and feed samples had a range of 116-393 ng/g dry w. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been detected in the range of 0.05-3.29 ng/g wet w in the food samples; butter showed the highest contamination which exceeded the EU standard set for fats and oil. Fingerprints of PAHs suggested both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources of contamination.     

A total diet study to estimate PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs intake from food in Taiwan

Concentrations of 17 dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were measured in total diet study samples of 14 food groups of animal origin from 11 locations in Taiwan, collected in 2003. Pork meat possessed the lowest background concentration level of 0.058 pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs+dl-PCBs)/g fresh weight. The dl-PCBs contribution were 31%, 59%, 36%, 46%, and 13% for meat and meat products, muscle meat of fish, milk and dairy products, fat and oil, and egg, respectively. The estimated monthly intake (EMI) was 44.7 and 39.5 pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs+dl-PCBs)/kg b.w./month for a male and female adult weighing 64.8 kg and 56.3 kg, respectively. Muscle meat of fish contributes 46% to the mean EMI. Factors affecting the EMI, in order of increasing importance are analytical method uncertainty, sample compositional difference, and food consumption data. In addition to the continuous efforts to identify and reduce the source of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs releases into the environment and the food-chain, the practice of a healthy dietary habit, i.e., eating foods of lower TEQ levels, was suggested to effectively reduce human exposure to PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs.     

Survey of commercial pasteurised cows' milk in Wallonia (Belgium) for the occurrence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,dibenzofurans and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls

Congener-specific analyses of 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 4 non-ortho (coplanar) polychlorinated biphenyls (cPCBs) were performed on 35 samples of commercial long-life pasteurised cows' milk issued from eight different brands available in Walloon supermarkets (Belgium). The observed congener profile was characteristic of milk samples issued from industrialised countries with good inter and intra-brand reproducibility's. The PCDDs to PCDFs ratio was equal to 1.8 in concentration. The toxic equivalent (TEQ based on WHO-TEF) value for PCDD/Fs in all analysed milks was 1.09+/-0.30 pg TEQ/g fat (range 0.86-1.59), which is below the recommended EU non-commercialisation threshold value of 3 pg TEQ PCDD/Fs/g of milk fat. The mean TEQ value including cPCBs was 2.23+/-0.55 pg TEQ/g fat. These PCBs actually contributed for 49+/-8.6% of the total TEQ. Among PCDD/Fs and cPCBs, tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), pentachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD), pentachloro dibenzofurans (PeCDFs) and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachloro biphenyl (PCB-126) were the most important contributors to the TEQ. Estimated daily intake (EDI) due to consumption of such milks was 0.34 pg TEQ/kg of body weight/day for PCDD/Fs and 0.69 pg TEQ/kg of body weight/day when cPCBs were included.     

Emission of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs from metallurgy industries in S. Korea

The metallurgy industry and municipal waste incinerators are considered the main sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in many countries. This study investigated the emission factors and total emissions of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) emitted from metallurgy industries (including ferrous and nonferrous foundries) in Korea. The toxic equivalency (TEQ) emission factor of PCDD/Fs was the highest for secondary copper production, at 24451 ng I-TEQ/ton. The total estimated emissions of PCDD/Fs from these sources were 35.259 g I-TEQ/yr, comprising 0.088 g I-TEQ/yr from ferrous foundries, 31.713 g I-TEQ/yr from copper production, 1.716 g I-TEQ/yr from lead production, 0.111 g I-TEQ/yr from zinc production, and 1.631 g I-TEQ/yr from aluminum production. The total estimated annual amounts of dioxin-like PCBs emitted from these sources were 13.260 g WHO-TEQ/yr, comprising 0.014 g WHO-TEQ/yr from ferrous foundries, 12.675 g WHO-TEQ/yr from copper production, 0.170 g WHO-TEQ/yr from lead production, 0.017 g WHO-TEQ/yr from zinc production, and 0.384 g WHO-TEQ/yr from aluminum production. The highest emission factor was found for secondary copper smelting, at 9770 ng WHO-TEQ/ton.     

Estimation and characterization of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs from Chinese iron foundries

The iron foundry industry is considered to be a potential source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). This study investigated the emission factors and total emission amounts of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) from iron foundries in China. The concentrations and the World Health Organization toxicity equivalents (WHO-TEQs) are presented and the congener profiles are discussed in this paper.In the present work, 26 fly ash samples were collected and tested to quantify the PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs generated by 14 plants of different scales, and five stack gas samples were collected from two (named as EFG and LFG) of those plants. The emission levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs indicated that hot-air cupolas had lower emissions than cold-air cupolas. When iron ore lump and sinter were used as raw material, the emission factors were about 250 ng TEQ t⁻¹ of product. However, if the raw material was scrap, the emission factors varied owing to the different contents of organic materials in the raw materials. It was found that the mean WHO-TEQ values of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were 144 and 34.2 pg Nm⁻³ in stack gas and 20.0 and 1.58 pg g⁻¹ in fly ash. In multiple tests, it was estimated that the mean emission factors of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were 365 and 10.9 ng WHO-TEQ t⁻¹ released to residue and 2719 and 555 ng TEQ t⁻¹ released to air. The total emission amounts of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs from Chinese iron foundries with cupola furnaces released to residue and air were 16.8 and 146 g WHO-TEQ in 2008, respectively.     

PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in feeding fats obtained as co-products or by-products derived from the food chain

Among the tasks included in the "Quality and safety of feeding fats obtained from co-products or by-products of the food chain" Project, supported by the European Union and included in the 6th Framework Program, a number of fats and oils collected as co- or by-products from the food chain were selected for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 'dioxin-like' polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs). In the majority of the cases these samples are currently employed as feed ingredients. Nevertheless, additional fats, which are forbidden for feedstuff purposes were also considered in this study. In general terms, fats and oils were classified taking into account their nature and the processes applied to obtain these co- or by-products. PCDD/F and DL-PCB levels were evaluated in a first group of samples composed of fish oils, animal fats and lecithins. As expected, fats and oils with an animal origin presented higher concentrations, expressed in pg WHO-TEQ/g, compared to the levels found in vegetable samples like lecithins. The category of fish oils had the highest values for both PCDD/Fs and the sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs, with some samples showing levels above the maximum established at the present legislation related to the presence of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in animal feed [Commission Directive 2006/13/EC of 3 February 2006 amending Annexes I and II to Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed as regards dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. Official Journal of the European Communities L32, 44-53]. In a second group, fats and oils with a more complex composition obtained from different transformation processes or even mixtures of fats were considered; thus, acid oils from chemical refining, acid oils from physical refining, recycled cooking oils, oils extracted from exhausted bleaching earths, hydrogenated by-products, fatty acids calcium soaps and miscellaneous fats were analyzed. The data revealed a significant variability in PCDD/F and DL-PCB levels, expressed in pg WHO-TEQ/g, in these products. It has to be pointed out that the analyses of fats and oils belonging to these categories of products were sometimes difficult due to the complexity of the samples. In terms of legislation most of these samples cannot be easily included into one of the specific categories of substances intended for feedstuff purposes that are regulated in Commission Directive 2006/13/EC.     

Organochlorine compounds (PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs) in seafish and seafood from the Spanish Atlantic Southwest Coast

Concentrations and congener specific profiles of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were determined in edible fish and seafood species from the Coast of Huelva, in the Spanish southwest Atlantic coast. Five fish species, namely wegde sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata), common sole (Solea vulgaris), white seabream (Diplodus sargus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), angler fish (Lophius piscatorius), two shellfish species (Donax trunculus and Chamelea gallina), common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and prawns (Parapenaeus longirostris), frequently found and consumed in the area were analysed. Concentrations ranged from 861 to 23787pg/g wet weight for total PCBs, while 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs showed concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.18pg/g wet weight. WHO-TEQ concentrations ranged from 0.038 to 0.186pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs)/g wet weight, values well below the maximum concentrations established by the EU. When non- and mono-ortho PCBs were included the values increased to a maximum of 0.99pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs+PCBs)/g wet weight. The PCB and PCDD/F accumulation pattern found in the samples analysed showed a distribution typically reported for marine samples, and no remarkable differences were found between species. The PCBs were the ones contributing with the highest percentage to the total TEQ content in most species studied. Concerning the seafood, specially prawns and shellfish, the opposite was observed and PCDD/Fs were found to contribute with a higher percentage than PCBs. The congener specific contribution to the TEQ showed PCB 126 followed by 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF as the most abundant ones.     

Monitoring of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs and seasonal variations in mussels from the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea,Southern Italy)

The levels and specific profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo of Taranto were determined during the extensive monitoring plan of Local Health Authority to assess PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs contamination in food and farm products, within 20 km from the industrial areas of Taranto, between March and December 2011. The average Total Toxicity Equivalence (TEQ) values for the sum of PCDD/F and DL-PCBs ranged from 1.61 to 5.63 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ g^?1 wet weight basis, with the highest in the first inlet of the Mar Piccolo. In particular, DL-PCBs were the dominant chemicals in all samples, followed by PCDFs and PCDDs. Congener patterns in mussels were similar, indicating a homogeneous behavior in studied areas and, probably, the same type of source. The seasonal concentrations trend showed a relevant increase of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs TEQs during the summer months, exceeding the limits set by the European Community for food and foodstuff. Reducing PCDD/Fs and PCBs is necessary to decrease contamination levels in order to safeguard marine ecosystem and human health in the Taranto area.     

Determination of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs in insulating oil samples from stored Chinese electrical capacitors by HRGC/HRMS

Homologue and congener profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in commercial PCBs formulations are key information for the source identification of PCBs contamination as well as for the risk assessment caused by potential exposure. The isotope dilution technology in combination with high resolution gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) has made the accurate determination of such profiles possible. So far, various commercial PCB formulations except Chinese products have been successfully determined. Two PCBs containing insulating oil samples from stored Chinese electrical capacitors have been determined with the same methodology for comparability. The total concentration PCBs in two oil samples were 790 000 μg g⁻¹ and 720 000 μg g⁻¹, respectively. TriCBs, TetraCBs, and DiCBs were found to be most abundant. Concentration of dioxins contamination in two samples is 650-670 ngTEQ g⁻¹, of which 69-71 ngTEQ g⁻¹ from PCDD/Fs with the predominant congeners of 1,2,7,8-TeCDF; 2,3,7,8-TeCDF; 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF. The contributions of DL-PCBs in total TEQ in both samples were more than 85%. The dioxin-like toxicity in insulating oils contained in electrical capacitors could be considered receive attention as an important dioxins source if such wastes are not managed in an environmentally sound manner.