Occurrence of hexabromocyclododecanes and tetrabromobisphenol A in fish and seafood from the sea of Sardinia – FAO 37.1.3 area: Their impact on human health within the European Union marine framework strategy directive

Abstract

Levels of hexabromocyclododecane isomers α, β, γ, (HBCDDs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) were determined in 24 representative samples of different wild fish and seafood species (benthic: N = 16; pelagic: N = 8) and 16 samples of farmed bivalve molluscs from the West Mediterranean Sea (FAO 37, 1.3 sub-area). An LC-MS/MS-based method with limits of quantification (LOQS) in the range of 0.01–0.05 ng g−1 fresh weight (fw) was utilized. While α HBCDD was found in 80% of the 24 wild species samples, β and γ congeners were found in 33% and 25%, respectively. ΣHBCDD content ranged from 0.03 (Aristeus antennatus) to 0.68 (Sardina pilchardus) ng g−1 fw as Upper Bound values across 2.00–4.46 trophic levels. In farmed molluscs, HBCDD congeners were always present and ranged from 0.22–0.52 ng g−1 fw, with the exception of one farm (1.23–2.06 ng g−1 fw), whose values suggest the presence of a regular emission source. TBBP-A levels always fell below the LOQ of 0.05 ng g−1 fw in all samples. The results are in good agreement with results of previous studies from the Mediterranean Sea. The Environmental Quality Standard for human health from fish and seafood local consumption was set at 165 μg g−1 fw. The Margin of Exposure of 490,020 as the ratio between the considered Health Based Guidance Level of 0.79 mg kg−1 body weight and the geo-referenced HBCDD intake (P95 fish and seafood intake; mean ΣHBCDD contamination) indicates no threat to food safety.