PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE, HBCD and chlorinated pesticides in a Swedish market basket from 2005 – Levels and dietary intake estimations

Based on consumption data statistics, food items from four regions in Sweden were sampled in a so-called market basket study. Food items from five food groups, i.e. fish, meat, dairy products, eggs and fat/oils, were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) followed by per capita intake calculations. The highest levels of PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE, HBCD and chlorinated pesticides were found in the fish/fish products. The estimated market basket per capita intake of PCDD/F and dl-PCB was 0.7 pg WHO-TEQ kg bw−1 d−1 (TEFs from 1998). The intake of ∑PCB was estimated to 4.9 ng kg bw−1 d−1 and fish was found to be the major contributor with 64%. The intake of ∑PBDE was found to be 0.7 ng kg bw−1 d−1. Fish (38%) and dairy products (31%) were the largest contributors to the total PBDE intake. The intake of HBCD was estimated to 0.14 ng kg bw−1 d−1. HBCD mainly came from fish (65%), but also dairy products (24%) and meat (10%) contributed. Also regarding the chlorinated pesticides, fish was found to be the major contributor, with 51% of the ∑DDT coming from fish. The intake of ∑DDT, ∑HCH and HCB was 4.0, 1.0 and 1.1 ng kg bw−1 d−1, respectively. Most of the ∑HCH and HCB originate from dairy products (43% and 55%, respectively). This study shows that the levels, and intake, of different POPs from food of animal origin in the market basket of 2005 seem to have decreased since the market basket study in 1999.

Research highlights
► Fish, meat, dairy products, eggs and fat/oils were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) followed by per capita intake calculations.
► The highest levels of PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE, HBCD and chlorinated pesticides were found in the fish/fish products.
► The levels and intake of different POPs from food of animal origin in the market basket of 2005 seem to have decreased since the market basket study in 1999.