Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management
Abstract Background In the past, cases of PCDD/F and PCB contamination exceeding limits in food from animal origin (eggs, meat or milk) were mainly caused by industrially produced feed. But in the last decade, exceedances of EU limit values were discovered more frequently for PCDD/Fs or dioxin-like(...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-018-0166-9 |
| _version_ | 1811229804263899136 |
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| author | Roland Weber Christine Herold Henner Hollert Josef Kamphues Markus Blepp Karlheinz Ballschmiter |
| author_facet | Roland Weber Christine Herold Henner Hollert Josef Kamphues Markus Blepp Karlheinz Ballschmiter |
| author_sort | Roland Weber |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In the past, cases of PCDD/F and PCB contamination exceeding limits in food from animal origin (eggs, meat or milk) were mainly caused by industrially produced feed. But in the last decade, exceedances of EU limit values were discovered more frequently for PCDD/Fs or dioxin-like(dl)-PCBs from free range chicken, sheep, and beef, often in the absence of any known contamination source. Results The German Environment Agency initiated a project to elucidate the entry of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in food related to environmental contamination. This paper summarizes the most important findings. Food products from farm animals sensitive to dioxin/PCB exposure—suckling calves and laying hens housed outdoor—can exceed EU maximum levels at soil concentrations that have previously been considered as safe. Maximum permitted levels can already be exceeded in beef/veal when soil is contaminated around 5 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dry matter (dm). For eggs/broiler, this can occur at a concentration of PCDD/Fs in soil below 5 ng PCDD/F–PCB-TEQ/kg dm. Egg consumers—especially young children—can easily exceed health-based guidance values (TDI). The soil–chicken egg exposure pathway is probably the most sensitive route for human exposure to both dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs from soil and needs to be considered for soil guidelines. The study also found that calves from suckler cow herds are most prone to the impacts of dl-PCB contamination due to the excretion/accumulation via milk. PCB (and PCDD/F) intake for free-range cattle stems from feed and soil. Daily dl-PCB intake for suckler cow herds must in average be less than 2 ng PCB-TEQ/day. This translates to a maximum concentration in grass of 0.2 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dm which is less than 1/6 of the current EU maximum permitted level. This review compiles sources for PCDD/Fs and PCBs relevant to environmental contamination in respect to food safety. It also includes considerations on assessment of emerging POPs. Conclusions The major sources of PCDD/F and dl-PCB contamination of food of animal origin in Germany are (1) soils contaminated from past PCB and PCDD/F releases; (2) PCBs emitted from buildings and constructions; (3) PCBs present at farms. Impacted areas need to be assessed with respect to potential contamination of food-producing animals. Livestock management techniques can reduce exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs. Further research and regulatory action are needed to overcome gaps. Control and reduction measures are recommended for emission sources and new listed and emerging POPs to ensure food safety. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:19:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b05a731b2cc44d7a6998d4005164b70 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2190-4707 2190-4715 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:19:05Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b05a731b2cc44d7a6998d4005164b702022-12-22T03:37:08ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47072190-47152018-11-0130114210.1186/s12302-018-0166-9Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and managementRoland Weber0Christine Herold1Henner Hollert2Josef Kamphues3Markus Blepp4Karlheinz Ballschmiter5POPs Environmental ConsultingPOPs Environmental ConsultingDepartment of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen UniversityInstitute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, FoundationÖko-Institut e.VUlm UniversityAbstract Background In the past, cases of PCDD/F and PCB contamination exceeding limits in food from animal origin (eggs, meat or milk) were mainly caused by industrially produced feed. But in the last decade, exceedances of EU limit values were discovered more frequently for PCDD/Fs or dioxin-like(dl)-PCBs from free range chicken, sheep, and beef, often in the absence of any known contamination source. Results The German Environment Agency initiated a project to elucidate the entry of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in food related to environmental contamination. This paper summarizes the most important findings. Food products from farm animals sensitive to dioxin/PCB exposure—suckling calves and laying hens housed outdoor—can exceed EU maximum levels at soil concentrations that have previously been considered as safe. Maximum permitted levels can already be exceeded in beef/veal when soil is contaminated around 5 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dry matter (dm). For eggs/broiler, this can occur at a concentration of PCDD/Fs in soil below 5 ng PCDD/F–PCB-TEQ/kg dm. Egg consumers—especially young children—can easily exceed health-based guidance values (TDI). The soil–chicken egg exposure pathway is probably the most sensitive route for human exposure to both dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs from soil and needs to be considered for soil guidelines. The study also found that calves from suckler cow herds are most prone to the impacts of dl-PCB contamination due to the excretion/accumulation via milk. PCB (and PCDD/F) intake for free-range cattle stems from feed and soil. Daily dl-PCB intake for suckler cow herds must in average be less than 2 ng PCB-TEQ/day. This translates to a maximum concentration in grass of 0.2 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dm which is less than 1/6 of the current EU maximum permitted level. This review compiles sources for PCDD/Fs and PCBs relevant to environmental contamination in respect to food safety. It also includes considerations on assessment of emerging POPs. Conclusions The major sources of PCDD/F and dl-PCB contamination of food of animal origin in Germany are (1) soils contaminated from past PCB and PCDD/F releases; (2) PCBs emitted from buildings and constructions; (3) PCBs present at farms. Impacted areas need to be assessed with respect to potential contamination of food-producing animals. Livestock management techniques can reduce exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs. Further research and regulatory action are needed to overcome gaps. Control and reduction measures are recommended for emission sources and new listed and emerging POPs to ensure food safety.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-018-0166-9DioxinPCDDs/PCDFsPCBsContaminated sitesFoodMaximum limit |
| spellingShingle | Roland Weber Christine Herold Henner Hollert Josef Kamphues Markus Blepp Karlheinz Ballschmiter Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management Environmental Sciences Europe Dioxin PCDDs/PCDFs PCBs Contaminated sites Food Maximum limit |
| title | Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management |
| title_full | Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management |
| title_fullStr | Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management |
| title_short | Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management |
| title_sort | reviewing the relevance of dioxin and pcb sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory control and management |
| topic | Dioxin PCDDs/PCDFs PCBs Contaminated sites Food Maximum limit |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12302-018-0166-9 |
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