Concentration of DL-PCBs in fish from market of Parma city (north Italy): Estimated human intake

The concentrations of 12 congeners of non-ortho and mono-ortho dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (Sigma DL-PCB) were measured in 30 fish samples from Parma markets by GC/MS technique. The samples were randomly purchased, choosing the species commonly found in supermarkets. The concentration of DL-PCBs estimated remained under the fixed Italian limit of 4 pg g(-1) ww WHO-TEQ (World Health Organization-Toxic Equivalent) in the major part of the samples, so the situation seems to be not at a level sufficient to pose a risk to human health of the Parma population. The medium daily intake for DL-PCBs for Italian consumers (Parma) was also estimated. This value generally resulted minor than 2 pg g(-1) ww WHO-TEQ kg(-1) body weight, exceeding only in four cases: eel, smooth hound, starry smooth hound and tuna. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.