Human exposure to PBDEs through the diet in Catalonia, Spain: Temporal trend: A review of recent literature on dietary PBDE intake
Introduction
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants widely used in a variety of consumer products, which have been produced in notable quantities (Alaee et al., 2003). In recent years, a marked increase in the levels of PBDEs in human biological fluids such as breast milk, has been observed in various countries (Gómara et al., 2007, Schuhmacher et al., 2007, She et al., 2007, Toms et al., 2007, Schecter et al., 2008). Due to the association of PBDEs with endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and potential cancer, adverse effects that have been already reported in rodent studies, the increasing presence of PBDEs in human tissues is of particular concern (Birnbaum et al., 2003, Darnerud, 2003, Gill et al., 2004). Since dioxins’ and similar persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs) route of entry into the general population is almost exclusively from food, it was also hypothesized that the predominant route of human exposure to PBDEs would be through dietary intake (Bocio et al., 2003).
In 2000, we determined the concentrations of PBDEs in a number of food samples (11 food groups) acquired in Catalonia (Northeast Spain) (Bocio et al., 2003). The dietary intake of PBDEs was subsequently estimated for the general population living in that Spanish region. The most important contribution to the dietary PBDE intake corresponded to fish and seafood, being approximately one-third of the total (Bocio et al., 2003). However, in that study PBDE levels were only determined in fresh hake, sardine, mussel, and tinned fish (tuna, sardine), which was a limiting factor for establishing recommendations about human consumption (frequency and size of meals) of fish and other seafood. Taking this into account, our previous survey was recently extended in the number of analyzed edible marine species. The levels of PBDEs were measured in the 14 species of fish and seafood most consumed in Catalonia (Domingo et al., 2006).
In order to establish the temporal trend in the total dietary intake of PBDEs by the population of Catalonia, food items belonging to the remaining food groups assessed in our 2000 survey were analyzed. We here present the results of this new study concerning PBDE levels in a number of foodstuffs, as well as the human exposure through the diet of these pollutants. A comparison of the present data with recent results concerning the dietary intake of PBDEs in various countries is also presented.
Section snippets
Sampling
In March–June 2006, food samples were randomly purchased in local markets, big supermarkets, and grocery stores from twelve representative cities (Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Mataró, Sabadell, Terrassa, Girona, Tarragona, Reus, Tortosa, Lleida and Manresa) of Catalonia. The selection of foodstuffs was based on data from Serra-Majem et al. (2003), who reported that these food items are widely consumed by the population of Catalonia. Previously to the current
Results
Table 1 summarizes the concentrations of PBDEs in all the analyzed foodstuffs. Results are presented as the sum of tetra- to octaBDEs, as well as the total sum of these groups of homologues. Recent data concerning PBDE levels in edible marine species (Domingo et al., 2006) are also included. In the samples of our previous survey (Bocio et al., 2003), the highest PBDE levels were found in oils and fats (588.7 ng/kg ww), fish and other seafood (383.9 ng/kg ww), and meat and meat products (109.2
Discussion
Until recently, data concerning the dietary intake of PBDEs by the population of a certain region or country were very limited (Domingo, 2004). In studies performed in the UK and Canada, the intakes (median values) of PBDEs were 90.5 ng/day using duplicate diet samples (Wijesekera et al., 2002), and 44 ng/day (Ryan and Patry, 2001), respectively. However, in the Canadian study the number of foodstuffs included was limited to samples of animal origin only.
In 2000, we determined the concentrations
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Catalan Food Safety Agency, Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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