Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in shrimp and animal origin oils in Medellin, Colombia

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic organic compounds that have been used as brominated flame retardants. They are persistent in the environment, can bioaccumulate in fatty tissues, biomagnify through the food chain, and have adverse health effects on humans and wildlife. The main source of human exposure to PBDEs is the ingestion of contaminated food. Therefore, in this study the concentration of BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-77, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-126, BDE-139, BDE-153, BDE-154, and BDE-183 was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in shrimps and animal origin oils commercialised and consumed in Medellin, Colombia. All samples of shrimps and animal origin oils analysed had values below 0.0050 ng center dot g(-1) for all the PBDEs studied, with the exception of one shrimp sample in which a concentration of 0.012 +/- 0.0056 ng center dot g(-1) of BDE-100 was quantified. The results suggest that shrimps and animal origin oils are not a significant source of exposure to PBDEs of the population of the city. However, it is important to continue analysing PBDEs in foods, including foods other than those evaluated in this investigation, in order to guarantee the innocuity and safety of the food consumed by the population.

Automated summary

The study found low concentrations of PBDEs in shrimps and animal origin oils commercialized and consumed in Medellin, Colombia, indicating that they are not a significant source of exposure to the population of the city. Continuing to analyze PBDEs in foods is important to ensure the innocuity and safety of the food consumed by the population.