First report of pyrethroid bioaccumulation in wild river fish: A case study in Iberian river basins (Spain)

• 42 whole fish samples from four different rivers were analyzed in order to study pyrethroid presence.
• All samples were positive to pyrethorids. Bifenthrin, cyhalothrin and cypermethrin were ever present.
• Comparing with pollutants such as flame retardants, personal care products or pharmaceuticals, pyrethroid levels were higher.
• Generally, cis pyrethorids were present in higher proportion than trans.

For the first time, this work described pyrethroid bioaccumulation in edible river fish samples. We analyzed 42 whole fish samples collected in 4 different Iberian rivers. All samples were positive to these insecticides. Levels of concentration ranged from 12 to 4938 ng g− 1 lipid weight (lw). Moreover, isomeric characterization was carried out. Our results remarked a general preference of cis isomers in bioaccumulation. Finally, the enantiomeric evaluation showed that there was an enantioselective bioaccumulation of some pyrethroids, depending on the studied species. Pyrethroid concentrations were compared with levels obtained for other common pollutants, such as flame retardants, personal care products, hormones and pharmaceuticals. The highest values corresponded to pyrethroid insecticides, even though, pyrethroid levels are safe for human consumption taken into account the current regulations.

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