Isomer-Specific Determination and Toxic Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polychlorinated/brominated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans, Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers, and Extractable Organic Halogen in Carp from the Buffalo River, New York

Abstract

Concentrations of PCB isomers, polychlorinated/brominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs/PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs/PBDFs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBBEs), and total extractable organic halogen (EOX) were determined in carp (Cyprinus carpio) of three age classes collected from the Buffalo River, New York. Total PCBs concentrations exceeded the United States Food and Drug Administration's tolerable level of 2 μg/g (wet wt) in all the three age classes. Concentration ranges of total PCDDs and PCDFs were 27-146 and 22-99 pg/g, respectively. Among several of the 2,3,7,8-substituted isomers detected, OCDD and OCDF were the most predominantly noticed congeners. Noticeable concentrations of PBBEs were found with a major contribution from tetra-BBEs. Extractable organochlorines (EOCl) were the highest in the total EOX family followed by organobromines and organoiodines. The known organochlorines such as PCBs and DDT accounted for 13-58% of the EOCl, suggesting the presence of considerable levels of other unknown organochlorines. The 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents of coplanar PCBs, dioxins, and furans in carp muscle were between 45 and 108 pg/g, with 38-48% of the toxicity exerted by mono-ortho-PCBs. The estimated allowable consumption rates of carp based on the risk assessment method were much lowerthan the actual consumption values available for the Great Lakes states. Elevated concentrations of PCB isomers other than dioxins and furans suggest the need to protect humans from the consumption of PCB-contaminated carp from the Buffalo River.