Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in seafood samples from Malaysia: estimated human intake and associated risks

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2014 Jul;67(1):21-8. doi: 10.1007/s00244-014-0019-5. Epub 2014 Mar 21.

Abstract

A total of 127 and 177 seafood samples from Malaysia were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), respectively. The World Health Organization-toxic-equivalency quotients (WHO-TEQ) of PCDD/Fs varied from 0.13 to 1.03 pg TEQ g(-1), whereas dl-PCBs ranged from 0.33 to 1.32 pg TEQ g(-1). Based on food-consumption data from the global environment monitoring system-food contamination monitoring and assessment programme, calculated dietary exposures to PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs from seafood for the general population in Malaysia were 0.042 and 0.098 pg TEQ kg(-1) body weight day(-1), respectively. These estimations were quite different from the values calculated using the Malaysian food-consumption statistics (average of 0.313 and 0.676 pg TEQ kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for PCDD/Fs and PCBs, respectively). However, both of the dietary exposure estimations were lower than the tolerable daily intake recommended by WHO. Thus, it is suggested that seafood from Malaysia does not pose a notable risk to the health of the average consumer.

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / analysis*
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Diet / statistics & numerical data
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Contamination / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Seafood / analysis*
  • Seafood / statistics & numerical data
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollution, Chemical / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls