Lime as the source of PCDD/F contamination in citrus pulp pellets from Brazil and status of the monitoring program

After an exhaustive investigation, in 1997 the source of the milk contamination in Germany was traced to citrus pulp pellets originating from Brazil. It has been shown that lime was the source of the PCDD/F contamination of these products. After this conclusion, a continuous monitoring program has been performed over a two year period and the results are presented in this paper. Standard isotope dilution techniques were used for all samples, which were analyzed by selected ion monitoring high resolution GC–MS.     

Chlorinated components in lime used in production contaminated citrus pulp pellets from Brazil

In order to further understand the contamination of the citrus pulp pellets (CPP) that were exported to Europe in 1997 we examined both contaminated lime and CPP samples for the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated benzenes (tri–hexa). Standard isotope dilution techniques were applied for all samples, which were analysed by selected ion monitoring high resolution GC–MS. Lime that is used in the production of CPP product is highly contaminated with PCBs and chlorobenzenes.