Abstract

A study has been performed on (the variation of) the exposure to dioxins and related compounds of the Dutch polution. The study included the measurement of PCDD, PCDF and (planar) PCD levels in selected categories of the total diet and the calculation of the average human intake of dioxins by foor using a data base of consumption patterns of products from retailers, animal fats and levers from slaughter-houses and vegetable and fish oils from food industry. Samples were collected in four different regions in the Netherlands and subsequently mixed to composite samples. Levels of the seventeen 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (expressed as International Toxic equivalents or (I)-TEQ) as well as three planar polychlorinated biphenyls (expressed as TEQpcb were determined by using gas chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry (GCMS). The daily individual intake of TEQ for each category was determined by using the average TEQ levels in food products as input data in the database of the Dutch food consumption study (VCP). as a result, the variation of the daily intake in TEQ could be calculated agains body weight as well as age. These data have been subsequently compared with a TDI of 10 pg TEQ/kg body weight/day. The actual median daily intake appeared to be 1 pg (I)-TEQ/kg body weight for age-group 20 to 70 years. Persons up till 20 years have a higher daily intake per kg body wieight. In addition, the actual daily intake of planar PCBs is 1 pgTEQpcb per kg body weight per day for adults, while also here persons up till 20 years have a higher intake. At the actual exposure 1% of the children till 6 years have an intake of more than 10 pg TEQ/kg body weight/day, if TEQ includes both (I)-TEQ and TEQpcb.