Health risk assessment of exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in swordfish from the Mediterranean Sea

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in fish samples have been investigated in many previous studies. However, the available data regarding this issue in low- and middle-income countries are very scarce, and no study has been performed in Algeria yet. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught in three regions of the Algerian coasts, and the health risk associated with these contaminants was assessed. The PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were analyzed in 37 fish samples from Algiers, Bejaia, and Oran using the DR-CALUX bioassay method. The overall mean (and standard deviation) of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs concentrations in swordfish from Algiers, Bejaia, and Oran were 0.19 (0.13), 0.27 (0.24), and 0.08 (0.05) pg TEQ g(-1) wet weight (ww), respectively, which were lower than the national and European regulatory limits. Daily and weekly intake values of PCDD/F and DL-PCB were higher for the samples from Bejaia (0.45 and 3.15 pg TEQ kg(-1) body weight (bw) per day and week, respectively) and for the samples from Algiers (0.31 and 2.17 pg TEQ kg(-1) bw per day and week, respectively), which were higher than the tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg TEQ kg(-1) bw per week recently established by the European Food Safety Authority. Overall, our findings indicate that swordfish consumption poses a risk to the Algerian consumer.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in swordfish caught in three regions of the Algerian coasts, finding concentrations below regulatory limits but potential health risks for consumers in Algeria due to higher intake values compared to established limits.