Levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods and estimated dietary intake for the local residents of Luqiao and Yuhang in Zhejiang, China

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were measured by high resolution gas chromatograph/high resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS) in six food groups from Luqiao (LQ) where the e-waste has been recycled and from Yuhang (YH) where the agriculture dominates in Zhejiang Province in China. The total WHO-TEQ values of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods from LQ were significantly much higher than those from YH. The highest level of the total WHO-TEQ was in crucian carp (10.87pgg−1w.w.) followed by duck (3.77pgg−1w.w.), hen eggs (2.80pgg−1w.w.), chicken (2.43pgg−1w.w.), rice (0.08pgg−1w.w.) and vegetables (0.022pgg−1w.w.) in LQ. By contrast, the highest levels were measured in duck (0.74pgg−1w.w.) followed by hen eggs (0.69pgg−1w.w.), crucian carp (0.55pgg−1w.w.), chicken (0.44pgg−1w.w.), vegetables (0.002pgg−1w.w.) and rice (0.0002pgg−1w.w.) in YH, respectively. The monthly intake of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs for the local residents was 401.75pgWHO-TEQg−1w.w. in LQ, which is above the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). We determined a monthly intake of 37.13pgWHO-TEQg−1w.w. in YH, which is below the PTMI. Crucian carp was the predominant contributor to the estimated monthly intake (EMI), accounting for 67.74% and 36.51% in LQ and YH, respectively. High levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in selected foods indicate severe contamination of these pollutants in the e-waste recycling site.