The measurement and health risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls in butter samples using the QuEChERS/GC‐MS method

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate non‐dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL‐PCBs) and the health risk from butter samples using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) modified method and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). A total of 60 traditional and industrial butter samples were collected from the local markets of Tehran, Iran, and were subjected to GC‐MS. The results showed that the mean concentration of total NDL‐PCBs in samples was 21.701 ± 9.02 ng/g fat. The amounts of PCBs in traditional butter samples were higher than in the industrial samples. PCB concentrations in all samples were lower than the European Union standard (40 ng/g fat). The 95th percentile incremental lifetime cancer risk of total NDL‐PCBs for children (1.79E−5) and adults (3.80E−6) was less than the acceptable risk level (10−4).