Determination of PCDD/F, dioxin-like PCB and PAH levels in olive and olive oil samples from areas affected by the fires in summer 2007 in Greece

During the summer of 2007, a series of massive forest fires broke out in several areas across Greece. The main sources of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in Greece are considered to be the uncontrolled combustion of municipal solid waste in open landfills and accidental fires in forest, rural and industrial areas. Combustion may also lead to the formation of PAHs, which are fat soluble substances of considerable toxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate PCDD/F, dioxin-like PCB and PAH contamination of olive oil produced in fire-affected areas. Olive oil is a very significant agricultural product of Greece. Samples for this study were collected from all affected oil producing areas after the fire and 1 year later. PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PAHs were at normal levels in all samples analysed.