Levels of Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers in Some Selected Fish and Shellfish from Kuwait

Abstract

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Kuwait's fish market have not previously been reported. Fish from four common species, shrimp, and five common shellfish from Kuwait's fish market were analyzed for seven PBDEs. The levels of PBDEs in fish samples ranged from 0.50 to 3.748 ng/g wet weight and in shellfish samples ranged from 1.05 to 5.47 ng/g wet weight. The mean σ₅ PBDE concentrations measured in hamoor, shell, zobaidy, sheim, shrimp, suboor, sponge, octopus, squid, and bivalve samples were 1.49, 5.47, 4.10, 0.50, 3.78, 1.53, 2.10, 3.11, 1.05, and 1.41 ng/g wet weight, respectively. The total PBDE concentration in fish and shellfish samples measured in our study were comparable to or higher than those from other countries. The BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-100 were the most dominant PBDEs in all the samples tested. The daily intake of PBDE from fish and shellfish reported in this study was lower than that reported from other countries.

Keywords:

• polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
• fish
• shellfish
• Kuwait fish market
• estimated daily intake