Study on polychlorobiphenyl serum levels in French consumers of freshwater fish

•French consumption of freshwater fish was relatively infrequent.•People most at risk, eating PCB-BP+ fish, represented 13% of the study population.•Serum PCB level predictors in French angler population were investigated.•Main predictors of serum PCB level: age and consumption of PCB-BP+ freshwater fish•Recommendations for safe consumption of freshwater fish were proposed.

IntroductionPolychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants that are widespread in the environment and in foodstuffs, particularly in freshwater fish, which frequently exceed the maximum levels set by European regulations.ObjectivesFirst, we describe the consumption of freshwater fish and serum PCB levels in French anglers, a population expected to have the highest level of dietary PCB exposure. Second, we investigated whether there is a statistical relationship between serum PCB levels and the angler consumption of freshwater fish with high PCB bioaccumulation potential (PCB-BP+ freshwater fish) in order to make recommendations with regard to safe consumption of freshwater fish.MethodsWe conducted a survey of anglers from six sites with contrasting PCB contamination levels. The survey included a food consumption frequency questionnaire and blood samples were taken to assess serum PCB levels. We used a regression model to determine the main factors contributing to serum PCB levels.ResultsConsumption of PCB-BP+ freshwater fish was relatively infrequent. Serum PCB levels of the study population and of women of childbearing age were in the same range as those observed in the French population and in neighbouring European countries, but higher than in the North American population.The two factors with the highest positive association with serum PCB levels were age (R2 = 61%) and the consumption of PCB-BP+ freshwater fish (R2 = 2%). Using the regression model, we calculated, for several scenarios depending on the age and gender of the population, the maximum annual frequencies for PCB-BP+ freshwater fish consumption that do not exceed the critical body burden threshold.ConclusionFollowing the results of this study, the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (ANSES) issued an opinion and recommended some specific maximum freshwater fish consumption frequencies to protect the French general population.