Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) in Irish food of animal origin

Abstract

Brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) and 17 polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) congeners including BDE-209 were analysed in 100 composite samples of commonly consumed foods of animal origin, prepared from ten to 40 individual subsamples of each type. These included 30 samples of milk from farms; eggs from chickens; fat from cows, pigs, sheep, and poultry; and liver from cows, pigs, sheep, horses, and poultry. The ISO 17025-accredited analytical methodology used, follows similar guidelines as given for chlorinated dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in European Commission Directive 2002/69/EC. Apart from some samples of milk, PBDD/Fs and PBDEs were detected in all food types. Concentrations ranged from 0.31 µg kg⁻¹ Σ17 PBDEs for a sample of milk to 37.5 µg kg⁻¹ Σ17 PBDEs for a sample of liver. The corresponding range for the PBDD/F toxicity (computed using analogous PCDD/F toxic equivalency factors (TEFs)) was 0.09 ng TEQ kg⁻¹ to approximately 3.5 ng TEQ kg⁻¹. The detection of these compounds, in particular PBDD/Fs, is consistent with the increased use and disposal of brominated organic compounds.

Keywords:

• dioxins
• PBDD/Fs
• PBDEs
• liver
• milk
• eggs
• fat
• WHO-TEQ
• food

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for funding this work.