Burden levels of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in typical edible meat animals

The concentrations and distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), poly-chlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the whole blood and meat of eight typical edible animals (chicken, donkey, horse, cattle, rabbit, sheep, duck, and pig) were illustrated. Total concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and PCBs (on a basis of liquid volume) in animal bloods were 142-484 pg/L and 46-62 ng/L, respectively. Total concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs (on a basis of dry weight (dw) and lipid weight (lw)) in animal meat samples were 0.47-1090 pg/g dw (0.47-4513 pg/g lw) and 7.2-23 ng/g dw (10-776 ng/g lw), respectively. TEQs for both PCDD/Fs and PCBs in animal blood and meat samples were (67 ?? 27) pg/L and (5.3 ?? 14) pg/g dw (24 ?? 56 pg/g lw), respectively. Besides, the dietary intakes of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were also es-timated. Chicken and pig contributed more TEQs than other animals. Chicken contributed the most (95%) with high toxicity, followed by pig (3.4%) with high consumption. The dietary intake of chicken might pose risks to consumers who prefer to eat chicken products, who should comprehensively consider the essential nutrients and contaminants in food during dietary intake. ?? 2022 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

This study illustrated the concentrations and distributions of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in the whole blood and meat of eight typical edible animals. The results showed that chicken and pig contributed the most to the toxic equivalents (TEQs) of these contaminants. The consumption of chicken products may pose risks to consumers, who should consider the essential nutrients and contaminants in their diet.