Occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in shark liver oil supplements

Abstract

Results are reported of a pilot survey of concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in shark liver oil supplements. Eleven brands of dietary supplements were analysed using an isotope dilution GC/MS method. Total concentrations of 10 PBDE congeners (BDE-28, −47, −49, −66, −99, −100, −153, −154, −155 and −183) ranged from 0.1 to 53 ng g−1 oil weight and total concentrations of six PCB congeners (CB-28/31, −52, −118, −153 and −180) in the samples ranged from 16 to 340 ng g−1 oil weight (undetected values are not included). Two brands of Japanese deep-sea shark liver oil contained the highest levels of PBDEs (49–53 ng g−1 oil weight) and PCBs (290–340 ng g−1 oil weight). These results indicate that PBDEs may have entered Japanese deep-sea waters.