Dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by a population living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator: assessment of the temporal trend.

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were determined in a number of foodstuffs purchased in various locations near a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the population of the area under potential influence of the HWI was subsequently estimated. The results were compared with previous surveys performed in the same area in 1998 (baseline), 2002 and 2006. In the present study, the highest WHO-TEQ corresponded to industrial bakery (0.183 ng/kg wet weight, ww), followed by fish (0.156 ng/kg ww), oils and fats (0.112 ng/kg fat weight), and seafood (0.065 ng/kg ww). In contrast, the lowest values were observed in pulses and tubers (0.003 ng/kg ww), and cereals and fruits (0.004 ng/kg ww). The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the general population was 33.1pg WHO-TEQ/day, having fish and seafood (11.6 pg WHO-TEQ), oils and fats (4.61pg WHO-TEQ), dairy products (3.79 pg WHO-TEQ), and industrial bakery (3.49 pg WHO-TEQ) as the groups showing the highest contribution to the total TEQ. The lowest daily contributions corresponded to pulses (0.08 pg WHO-TEQ) and tubers (0.25 pg WHO-TEQ). This intake was considerably lower than that found in the baseline study, 210.1 pgI-TEQ/day, and also notably lower than that found in the 2002 survey (59.6 pgI-TEQ/day), but slightly higher than the intake estimated in the 2006 survey, 27.8 pgWHO-TEQ/day. The results of this study show that any increase potentially found in the biological monitoring of the general population living in the area under evaluation should not be attributed to dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs.

Domingo JL ，Perelló G ，Nadal M ，Schuhmacher M ... -  《-》

Dietary exposure to PCDD/PCDFs by individuals living near a hazardous waste incinerator in Catalonia, Spain: temporal trend.

Martí-Cid R ，Bocio A ，Domingo JL 《CHEMOSPHERE》

Levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs in Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain): Spectacular decrease in the dietary intake of PCDD/Fs in the last 20 years.

In this study, we determined the levels polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 45 "composite" samples of food items belonging to 12 food groups. Foodstuffs were purchased in various locations of Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain. The daily dietary intake of PCDD/Fs was subsequently estimated for the population living in that County. The highest toxic equivalent (WHO-TEQ) value corresponded to fish (0.103 ng/kg ww), followed by seafood (0.071 ng/kg ww) and eggs (0.070 ng/kg ww). In contrast, the lowest PCDD/F concentrations corresponded to vegetables, tubers, pulses, and fruits (each, 0.003 ng/kg ww). The current dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the adult population was estimated in 8.54 pg WHO-TEQ/day, being fish and seafood the food groups with the greatest contribution to the dietary exposure of PCDD/Fs, followed by eggs, as well as by meat, oils and fats. The current study shows a continued decrease in the exposure to PCDD/Fs by the general population of Tarragona County since the first survey in the area conducted in 1998. The reduction observed in the last 20 years (from 210 pg I-TEQ/day to 8.54 pg WHO-TEQ/day) is certainly spectacular. The current daily intake (0.122 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw) is also lower than most intakes recently reported in a number of regions and countries.

González N ，Marquès M ，Nadal M ，Domingo JL ... -  《-》

Daily intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) in foodstuffs consumed in Tarragona, Spain: a review of recent studies (2001-2003) on human PCDD/PCDF exposure through the diet.

Bocio A ，Domingo JL 《ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH》

Monitoring dioxins and furans in plasma of individuals living near a hazardous waste incinerator: Temporal trend after 20 years.

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed in 40 plasma samples of individuals living in zones under potential influence of the emissions of a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) (Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain). Samples corresponded to subjects of different gender, age and specific areas of residence. The levels of PCDD/Fs were compared to those obtained in a baseline study (1998), as well as in previous surveys (2002, 2007 and 2012). The current mean concentration of PCDD/Fs in plasma was 6.79 pg I-TEQ/g lipid, which was significantly lower than the baseline concentration (27.0 pg I-TEQ/g lipid). A significant decrease was also observed in comparison to the results obtained in 2002 and 2007 (15.7 and 9.4 pg I-TEQ/g, respectively), while the current PCDD/F levels were similar to those obtained in 2012 (6.18 pg I-TEQ/g lipid). This important reduction in plasma PCDD/F levels is in accordance with the decreasing trend in the daily dietary intake of PCDD/Fs, which diminished from 210.1 pg I-TEQ (baseline) to 8.54 pg WHO-TEQ (current). OCDD was the predominant congener in plasma, while 2,3,7,8-TeCDD and 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF showed the lowest levels. Based on the above results, as well as other recent data on the levels of PCDD/Fs in human milk, we conclude that the presence of the HWI does not mean additional and significant risks -as regards to PCDD/F exposure-for the population living in the neighborhood of the facility.

Nadal M ，Mari M ，Schuhmacher M ，Domingo JL ... -  《-》