Exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) through the consumption of prepared meals in Italy

Abstract

Diet is a relevant source of exposure to environmental pollutants. Dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by the Italian population was assessed through a duplicate diet study on prepared meals. Baby food composite representative of the diet of toddlers aged 9–12 months and school canteen servings from four towns in Italy representing the diet of children aged 4–9 years were collected on a 5-day basis. Similarly, 5-day lunches from an office canteen, 7-day lunches from a hotel-school, three fast food meals, and eight duplicate 1-day meals of individuals (one vegetarian) were selected to represent the diet of adults aged above 18 years. Servings from each diet were then pooled to form a composite and analysed. Dietary intake was estimated from the resulting contaminant levels in composites combined with age-related food consumption data from national survey. The mean upper bound (UB) intakes for cumulative PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs were 0.67, 0.63–0.92, and 0.27–0.63 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TE kg⁻¹ body weight (bw) day⁻¹ for toddlers, children and adults, respectively. BDE-47 (UB) ng kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹ estimates were 2.75 in toddlers, 0.08–0.16 in children and 0.03–0.09 in adults. Similarly, for BDE-99 higher UB intakes (ng kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹) resulted in toddlers (1.26), than those in children (0.06–0.08) and adults (0.03–0.10), respectively. The above estimates fall below the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) (14 WHO₂₀₀₅-TE kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹) established by the European Union Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The margin of exposure (MOE = 3) of toddlers to BDE-99 clearly indicates this age group as target for a risk-oriented approach. This study is proposed as a first cost-effective screening in PCDD, PCDF, DL-PCB and PBDE intake assessment, with a focus also on time trends.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• PCDDs
• PCDFs
• DL-PCBs
• PBDEs
• canteen meals
• baby food
• fast food
• duplicate diet
• dietary intake
• Italy

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the following: Dr Emanuele Sangiorgi from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia (Italy); Dr Antonio Tosi and Dr Massimo Pontecchiani from the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) of Ferrara (Italy); Dr Micaela Tiso from the IZS Piemonte, Liguria and Valle D’Aosta, Genoa (Italy); Dr Gennaro Mencaroni from the IZS Umbria and Marche, Perugia (Italy); Dr Antonella De Roma and Dr Rossella D’Ambrosio from the IZS del Mezzogiorno, Portici (Italy); Professor Armando Izzo, Professor Maria Gabriella de Lucia, teaching staff and students from the Istituto Professionale di Stato per I Servizi Enogastronomici e dell’Ospitalità Alberghiera (IPSSEOA) “De Gennaro”, Vico Equense (Italy).

Funding

This study was financed by The Ministry of Health (2008–10) [IZS ME RF 2008 project, grant number 1144167]: “Innovative Approaches in the Evaluation and Prevention of Dietary Exposure to Persistent Toxic and Emerging Contaminants through the Study of Diet and the Development of Innovative Methods of Investigation”.

Supplemental Data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2014.905876