PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in farmed fish produced in Greece: Levels and human population exposure assessment

• Dioxins, dioxin-like and non dioxin-like PCBs were determined in Greek farmed fish.
• Samples included three farmed species and wild fish collected between 2002 and 2012.
• Levels were generally low and in the same range in farmed fish and wild fish.
• These levels were well below the limits set by EU Legislation.
• A study of dietary intake indicated low contribution to recommended weekly intake.

Fish is among the essential components of Mediterranean diet and has beneficial effects on human health. Farmed fish is an affordable alternative to wild fish and a significant food export product for Greece. Published studies worldwide have reported significant levels of environmental pollutants in fish tissues. Especially for PCDDs/Fs and PCBs, the studies suggest that the most important contribution to human dietary intake is from fish and seafood. In the present study, we investigate the levels of PCDDs/Fs, dioxin-like and non dioxin-like PCBs in the most common farmed fish species produced in Greece i.e. sea bass, sea bream and rainbow trout. These species are widely consumed in Greece and are also exported to many countries worldwide. The mean levels found were WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ: 0.22 pg g−1 wet weight (w.w.), WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ: 0.88 pg g−1 w.w. for sea bream, WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ: 0.13 pg g−1 w.w., WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ: 0.68 pg g−1 w.w. for sea bass and WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ: 0.10 pg g−1 w.w., WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ: 0.43 pg g−1 w.w. for rainbow trout. For non dioxin-like PCBs, mean sum values found were 8.02 ng g−1 w.w. for sea bream, 5.24 ng g−1 w.w. for sea bass and 2.90 ng g−1 w.w. for rainbow trout. All concentrations found were far below maximum levels set by the European Union and in the same range as wild-caught fish also presented for comparison. Daily intake from the consumption of farmed fish species examined is calculated at 1.3 pg WHO-TEQ kg−1 b.w., which is at the lowest end of TDI values proposed by the WHO.