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Paul J.C. Schepens,¹ Adrian Covaci,¹ Philippe G. Jorens,¹ Luc Hens,² Simon Scharpé,¹ and Nik van Larebeke³

¹Toxicological Center and Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
²Department of Human Ecology, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
³Department of Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and Experimental Oncology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

We found that 12.1% of Belgian export meat samples from chicken or pork, unrelated to the PCB/dioxin crisis from 1999, contained more than 50 ng polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) /g fat and that 6.5% of samples contain more than 20 ng/g fat for the sum of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) and its metabolites. Part of this background contamination stems from imported animal feed ingredients (fish flour and grains) , sometimes contaminated by recent use of DDT, as can be deduced from the ratio between DDT and its main metabolite, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) . However, after comparing PCB concentrations in fish flour and grains with those found in meat, we suggest that the high concentrations stem from recycled fat. This is the first paper describing background concentrations of PCBs in animal meat from Belgium. Key words: animal fat, contamination, DDT, food, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) . Environ Health Perspect 109:101-103 (2001) . [Online 10 January 2001]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/109p101-103schepens/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to A. Covaci, Toxicological Center and Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. Telephone: +32 3 820 2704. Fax: +32 3 820 2722. E-mail: covaci@uia.ua.ac.be

Received 3 July 2000 ; accepted 5 September 2000.