Dietary Exposure to PCDD/Fs Through Animal Products in a Highly Polluted Area in Turkey

ABSTRACT

We present an estimation of dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs by animal products in Kocaeli, a highly polluted area in Turkey, based on current food data consumption. The calculation of the PCDD/F intakes by an exposure methodology concerning consumption habits of different receptor groups in Kocaeli was included. The data relate to the PCDD/F levels in food groups of animal origin (milk, egg, meat, chicken, and fish), food consumption rates, and the fractions of locally grown foods in total consumption were statistically assessed. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the ranges of PCDD/F doses through the consumption of animal products. The PCDD/F intakes through the consumption of animal products were calculated to average between 0.4–1.8 pg WHO-TEQ.kg⁻¹ bodyweight (bw).day⁻¹. The results are within the range of 1–4 pg WHO-TEQ.kg⁻¹ bw.day⁻¹, proposed as the tolerable daily intake by the World Health Organization. On the other hand, contributions of the consumption of different foods to the total PCDD/F intake and the results of sensitivity analysis showed that the PCDD/F intake in semi-urban and rural settings was determined primarily by the consumption of milk products, while consumption of meat and fish had a greater importance in urban settings.

Key Words:

• dioxins and related compounds
• dietary exposure
• exposure modeling
• Turkey

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under Grant No: 1040121 and the University of Kocaeli's Scientific Research Projects Unit under Project No: 2008/019.