Assessment of Furan and Its Derivatives Intake with Home Prepared Meals and Characterization of Associated Risk for Polish Infants and Toddlers.

Furan and its derivatives are found in various heat-treated foods. Furan is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The European Union authorities recommend collecting data on the occurrence of these compounds, estimating consumer exposure, and taking measures to protect human health based on a scientific risk assessment. The aim of this study was to estimate the exposure of infants and toddlers to furan and its methyl derivatives-2-methylfuran, 3-methylfuran, and ∑2,5-dimethylfuran/2-ethylfuran-present in home-prepared foods and to characterize the associated health risks. The compounds of interest were determined using the HS-GC/MS. The risk was characterized by the calculation of the margin of exposure (MoE). Levels of furan and its derivatives in analyzed samples were in the range of

Validation of a Modified QuEChERS Method for the Determination of Selected Organochlorine Compounds in Honey.

Honey is considered to be a health-promoting food product. Therefore, it is assumed that it should be free of contaminants. Although the use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was banned a few decades ago in developed countries, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still detected in various environmental and biological matrices, including food. These contaminants exhibit toxic properties and bioaccumulate in some food chains. The validation of a modified QuEChERS extraction method was successfully performed for o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, heptachlor and dieldrin. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) was used as an internal standard. The modification involved changing the solvent from acetonitrile to n-hexane after extraction. Quantitation was carried out using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (µECD). The mean recovery values for o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD and dieldrin, spiked at 2.9 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 64.7% to 129.3%, and, for heptachlor spiked at 5.6 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 68.0% to 88.3%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for these concentrations did not exceed 20%, and the within-laboratory reproducibility was below 20%, except o,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT, which were 25.2% and 20.7%, respectively. This modified QuEChERS extraction method for selected organochlorine compounds was demonstrated as effective for routine testing in honey.

A novel method for rapid and quantitative detection of bisphenol A in urine.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is classified as an endocrine disruptor (ED) and it can interact with variety of hormone receptors leading to hormonal disruption and increased risk of various adverse health effects. Reducing human exposure to BPA is one of the main challenges of public health, as it is constantly present in daily life. A low-cost and commonly applied method to enable determination of BPA in the patient's body has yet to be developed. Currently available techniques are expensive, time-consuming, and require access to highly equipped analytical chemistry laboratories. Here we describe a fast and cheap engineered lateral flow assay of our design, to detect of BPA in urine samples. The technology not only provides an opportunity to perform rapid medical diagnostics without the need for an access to the central laboratory but also a means for self-diagnosis by the patient. The addition of ß-glucuronidase improves the sensitivity of detection as it releases the free BPA from glucuronide complexes in urine. This invention may become a demonstrated analytical means for lowering human exposure to BPA and probably also to other EDs and consequently, may be useful in decrease of the risk for several lifestyle diseases.

Alternative toxicological methods for establishing residue definitions applied for dietary risk assessment of pesticides in the European Union.

Consumers are constantly exposed to trace levels of residues present in food commodities, arising from the use of pesticides. For this reason, assessing the risk caused by pesticide residues present in food requires not only identification and toxicological properties assessment of the active substance, but also of its metabolites, isomers, and degradates. This requires the use of many laboratory animals. On the other hand, currently there is an emphasis on minimizing the use of animals in toxicological research. This review article presents current activities of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) aiming to replace at least a part of toxicological tests on substances of unknown toxicity with the alternative methods. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) can be used for this purpose in procedure of establishing residue definitions applied for dietary risk assessment.

Hypomethylation of the c-myc promoter region induced by phenobarbital in rat liver

Background: The changes in DNA methylation are considered as one of the early events in hepatocarcinogenesis. Objective: We evaluated the ability of phenobarbital (PB) ­ the most widely used anticonvulsant worldwide and classical rodent liver carcinogen ­ to cause the promoter region of the c-myc protooncogene hypomethylation as well as changes of mRNA level of this gene. Moreover, the expression of Dnmt1 protein in rat treated with this compound was analyzed. Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats received PB in daily oral doses of 92.8 mg kg-1 b.w. day-1 (at 24-h intervals; for one, three and fourteen days). Methylation of the c-myc promoter region was measured by PCR-based methylationsensitive restriction enzyme analysis (MSRA). Levels of mRNA for c-myc and protein Dnmt1 were assayed using Real-Time PCR and Western Blot, respectively. Results: The study showed that phenobarbital stimulated persistent changes in DNA methylation, i.e. loss of methylation in the promoter region of the c-myc gene and up-regulated its mRNA level. In addition, a significant increase in protein level of Dnmt1 in the c-myc over-expressing liver cells was observed. Conclusion: The oppose relationship between Dnmt1 activity and methylation status of c-myc gene was demonstrated. The c-myc over-expression by demethylation might represent an important, early events in the mechanism of action (MOA) of phenobarbital.

Dioxins and PCBs in ostrich meat and eggs: levels and implications.

Although consumption of eggs is an essential part of our diet, limited information is available for table eggs other than those laid by hens. The aim of our study was to determine concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like (DL-) and non-dioxin-like (NDL) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ostrich eggs and meat available on the Polish market, in order to obtain baseline information on the current status of these pollutants in comparison to poultry products. Obtained data were compared with the binding EU limits set for chicken eggs and meat. The levels of individual PCDD/Fs and PCBs congeners varied considerably. The percentage share of total WHO toxic equivalency factor (WHO-TEQ) content indicates the dominant role of PCDD/Fs. High concentrations of PCDD/F and DL-PCBs, in the range of 0.85-74.48 pg WHO-TEQ g-1 fat, were found in ostrich eggs; this exceeds the maximum level permitted for chicken eggs by a factor of up to 15. Eight of the 11 egg samples exceeded the action level for hen eggs. Although the ostrich meat concentrations of PCDD/Fs do not exceed the limit established for poultry muscle (1.75 pg g-1 fat), average contents of PCDD/Fs exceeded almost four times the levels in chicken and turkey muscle. Human exposure was evaluated and the resulting risk was characterised. Taking into account the low average consumption of ostrich eggs, the resulting exposure to dioxins for the general population can be considered as negligibly low. However, the individuals who frequently consume such eggs may be at risk of elevated exposure. Although ostrich products are not consumed frequently, such data are nevertheless useful for food safety purposes.

Elimination of dioxins in milk by dairy cows after the long-term intake of contaminated sugar beet pellets.

Dried feed materials, such as sugar beet pellets, may be a source of high levels of PCDD/Fs. The studies followed up dioxin congener elimination from contaminated milk (5.02 ± 1.39 pg WHO PCDD/F-PCBs-TEQ g-1 fat) up to 338 days after withdrawal of polluted feed ingredient (4.37 ± 0.25 ng PCDD/F/DL-PCBs-TEQ kg-1 feed). The main objectives of the study were to estimate the length of the time needed to achieve an acceptable PCDD/F milk level as set by European Union law, to track the fate of the PCDD/F congeners, and to assess the potential risk for consumers associated with long-term consumption of contaminated milk. After approximately 200 days, the PCDD/F levels reached ML (2.5 pg WHO-TEQ g-1 fat), then decreased to the action level after more than 300 days (1.75 pg WHO-TEQ g-1 fat) for most of cows. The potential risk of PCDD/F/DL-PCBs intake was characterised by comparing the theoretically calculated weekly and monthly intakes with the toxicological reference values (TRVs). The dioxin intake for the average adult and high-milk consumers did not exceed half of any of the TRVs applied (TWI, PTMI). The consumption of milk by children in the amount recommended by nutritionists (500 ml day-1) resulted in an exposure equal to 317% TWI and 275% PTMI.

Validation of the analytical method for the simultaneous determination of selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in human blood serum by gas chromatography with microelectron capture detector.

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as other persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pose a significant hazard to human health, mainly due to interference with the endocrine system and carcinogenetic effects. Humans are exposed to these substances mainly through a food of animal origin. These pollutants are globally detected in human matrices which requires to dispose reliable and simple analytical method that would enable further studies to assess the exposure of specific human populations to these compounds. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to modify and validate of the analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of selected PBDEs, PCBs and OCPs in human blood serum samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analytical measurement was performed by GC-µECD following preparation of serum samples (denaturation, multiple extraction, lipid removal). Identity of the compounds was confirmed by GC-MS. RESULTS: The method was characterised by the appropriate linearity, good repeatability (CV below 20%). The recoveries ranged from 52.9 to 125.0% depending on compound and level of fortification. The limit of quantification was set at 0.03 ng mL(-1) of serum. CONCLUSIONS: The modified analytical method proved to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of selected PBDEs, PCBs and OCPs in human blood serum by GC-µECD with good precision.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants and sperm DNA methylation changes in Arctic and European populations.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane], are environmental contaminants with potential endocrine disrupting activity. DNA methylation levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes have been associated with serum concentrations of POPs in Greenland Inuit and Korean populations. Greenland Inuits are characterized by the highest worldwide POP levels. In this cross-sectional study we evaluated the relationship between serum POP concentrations and DNA methylation levels in sperm of non-occupationally exposed fertile men from Greenland, Warsaw (Poland), and Kharkiv (Ukraine). Serum levels of PCB-153 [1,2,4-trichloro-5-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)benzene], as a proxy of the total PCBs body burden, and of p,p'-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene], the main metabolite of DDT were measured. Sperm DNA methylation level was assessed globally by flow cytometric (FCM) immunodetection of 5-methyl-cytosines and at specific repetitive DNA sequences (Alu, LINE-1, Satα) by PCR-pyrosequencing after bisulfite conversion. Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to investigate correlations between serum POP concentrations and DNA methylation. No consistent associations between exposure to POPs and sperm DNA methylation at repetitive DNA sequences were detected. A statistically significant global decrease in methylation was associated with exposure to either POP by FCM analysis. This is the first study to investigate environmental exposure to POPs and DNA methylation levels considering sperm as the target cells. Although POP exposure appears to have a limited negative impact on sperm DNA methylation levels in adult males, the global hypomethylation detected by one of the methods applied suggests that further investigation is warranted.

Dioxins and PCBs in game animals: Interspecies comparison and related consumer exposure.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCB) and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCB) are ubiquitous, persistent toxic compounds that are highly bioaccumulative in nature. Wild-living animals are vulnerable to the negative impacts of human activity. Dioxins and PCBs enter the animal organisms through foraging. Due to the toxicological threat, much attention is paid to these compounds worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the dioxin contamination status of three game animal species (red deer, roe deer, and wild boar) and compare the PCDD/F and PCB congener bioaccumulation in the muscles, abdominal fat and liver. The chemical analysis was performed by the isotope dilution technique (IDMS) with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Dioxins and PCBs were found in specimens collected from all studied species, suggesting the presence of the test compounds in the environment of the animals. The highest concentrations were found in the livers of all animals. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels in the muscles, adipose tissue and liver were in the order red deer > roe deer > wild boar. PCDD/Fs were the dominant congeners in TEQ value. For all tested species, the dominant contributors to the total WHO-TEQ were PCB-126, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. Among the PCDD/F congeners in the deer tissues, OCDD, OCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were dominant, while in wild boar, OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCF occurred in the highest amounts. Among PCBs, PCB-105, 118, 156, 138, 153 and 180 were dominant in all species, but with different levels. The regular consumption of muscle meat from game animals should not cause unacceptable dioxin intake above the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) value for children and adults. However, liver consumption should be avoided, especially by children and pregnant or lactating women. High consumption of contaminated liver may cause dioxin intake at levels up to 300% of TWI for adults and up to 700% TWI for children.

Pentachlorophenol from an old henhouse as a dioxin source in eggs and related human exposure.

High levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were detected in free-range eggs, and these levels reached a concentration of 29.84 ± 7.45 pg of WHO-TEQ/g of fat. This value exceeded the EU maximum permitted level of 2.5 pg of WHO-TEQ/g of fat for PCDD/F congeners by twelve-fold. A chemical analysis (HRGC-HRMS) revealed elevated amounts of OCDD, OCDF, HxCDD, HpCDD and HpCDF. During the investigation, samples of feed, soil, wall scrapings, wooden ceiling of the henhouse and tissues from laying hens were examined for dioxin contents (30 samples altogether). The long and complicated investigation found that the source of dioxins in the poultry farm was pentachlorophenol-treated wood, which was used as structural components in the 40-year-old farm building adapted to a henhouse. The wooden building material contained PCDD/Fs at a concentration of 3922.60 ± 560.93 pg of WHO-TEQ/g and 11.0 ± 2.8 µg/kg of PCP. The potential risk associated with dioxin intake was characterized by comparing the theoretically calculated weekly and monthly intakes with the toxicological reference values (TRVs), namely the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) and Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) values of 14 pg of WHO-TEQ/kg of bw and 70 pg of WHO-TEQ/kg of bw, respectively. The intake of dioxins estimated for high egg consumers (approximately 5-6 eggs/week) exceeded the TWI and PTMI values, which may pose a risk of delayed adverse health effects. The estimated dose of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs for children consuming 5 eggs per week exceeded the TWI by as much as 450% because of their nearly 5-fold-lower body weight. Although the dioxin intake estimated for the average consumption of eggs in the general population did not exceed any of the TRVs applied (58.7% TWI and 51.1% PTMI), such a situation should be considered unacceptable from a public health perspective because eggs are not the only source of these contaminants.

Risk assessment for pesticides' MRL non-compliances in Poland in the years 2011-2015.

BACKGROUND: Human exposure to trace levels of pesticide residues present in food of plant origin is inevitable as long as pesticides continue to be applied in agriculture. Since Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) are not toxicological endpoint values, their violation is not by default equivalent to health risk for consumers. However, its essential to provide a health- based risk assessment for each case of MRL non-compliance reported during monitoring and official control of foodstuffs. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential short-term risk associated with consumption of food products of plant origin containing pesticide residues above MRL values based on notifications forwarded by the National Contact Point for RASFF in Poland during 2011-2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 115 notifications including 127 analytical results non-compliant with respective MRL values were forwarded to provide risk assessment. An internationally accepted deterministic approach based on conservative model assumptions for short-term exposure assessment was applied. The risk was characterized by comparing an estimated dietary intake with respective acute reference dose (ARfD). RESULTS: Black currant, tea, lettuce, Chinese cabbage and carrot were among the most frequently notified products in years 2011-2015. Among pesticides exceeding respective MRL values, over 90% belonged to fungicides and insecticides/acaricides such as acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, imidacloprid, dithiocarbamates and procymidone. For 15 and 6 results noncompliant with respective MRL value, a predicted short-term intake exceeded ARfD for children and adults, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Residue levels that could potentially pose a health threat are found incidentally. The science-based and transparent risk assessment process with regard to the data, methods and assumptions that are applied is essential to risk management authorities. KEY WORDS: risk assessment, pesticide residues, MRL, dietary intake, RASFF, food safety.

Perfluorinated chemicals in blood serum of inhabitants in central Poland in relation to gender and age.

The goal of this paper is to determine concentrations of seven selected perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs): perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) in the blood serum of men and women of reproductive age from the central region of Poland. The relation between sex of tested subjects and the levels of compounds in blood serum of humans will also be considered and analysed as an element of the risk assessment. The study was made on the blood serum samples collected from 253 women and 176 men of reproductive age between 20 and 44 years from Warsaw and surrounding areas. Higher concentrations of five (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA) from among seven selected PFASs were observed in men in comparison to women from the same populations. Only the concentrations of PFHxS and PFDoDA were slightly higher in women than in men. These differences were statistically significant in all cases, except for PFUnDA. The hypothesis that the concentrations of said compounds increase with age of the test subjects, regardless of gender has not been confirmed.

Is the fact of parenting couples cohabitation affecting the serum levels of persistent organohalogen pollutants?

Organohalogen compounds constitute one of the important groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Among them, due to their long-term health effects, one should pay attention on organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs). This paper is an attempt to answer the question about relation between the fact of cohabitation by couples expecting a child and the level of the organohalogen compounds in the blood serum of both parents. The study was done on a population of parent couples from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine, from whom blood samples were collected in order to establish the levels of marker organohalogen compounds. We selected, as the representative of these compounds, the most persistent metabolite of DDT, i.e. p,p'-DDE, the most frequently detected PCB congener - CB-153, and PFOS and PFOA as the representatives of PFASs. The results show that in case of all compounds under study the highest concentrations were present always in men in relation to the levels detected in the blood serum of their female partners, regardless of the country of origin of the couple. A positive correlation was noted between the concentrations of the studied compounds in the blood serum of men and women in parenting couples. In some cases these correlations were statistically significant, e.g. for concentrations of p,p'-DDE in pairs from Greenland and Ukraine, of CB-153 in pairs from Poland and Ukraine, and of PFOS for parents from Greenland and Poland, while for PFOA - only for couples from Greenland. The concentrations of the compounds included in the study were similar to the levels found in general population in other countries. Our results show that the exposure to POPs resulting from cohabitation plays a role in the general exposure to these compounds.

Biopesticides--towards increased consumer safety in the European Union.

The introduction of new food safety regulations in the European Union has resulted in the withdrawal of many synthetic active substances used in plant protection products, in light of their potential or actual harmful effect on human and animal health, as well as on the environment. Alternatives to these compounds are being developed - naturally occurring pesticides, also referred to as biopesticides. The use of biopesticides in crop protection leads to decreased levels of pesticide residues in foods, and as a result to lower risk levels for the consumer. Biologically active agents defined as biopesticides are varied, and therefore application of the same environmental and consumer safety criteria to all of them is impossible. This presents serious complications in the approval of these pesticides as active plant protection products and in their registration. It needs to be stressed that, in the registration procedure of the European Union, biopesticides are subject to the same regulations as synthetic active substances. This situation has resulted in the need to introduce numerous new provisions in the legislation, as well as the preparation of new guidelines facilitating the registration of biopesticides. These activities aim to promote naturally originating pesticides.

Hazard quotient profiles used as a risk assessment tool for PFOS and PFOA serum levels in three distinctive European populations.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) blood levels are commonly used as biomarkers of human environmental exposure to these compounds. Many biomonitoring studies indicate 100% detection for PFOS and PFOA thus justifying a concern of possible risk for the most exposed individuals. This study addresses the predictive value of hazard quotients (HQs) calculated on the basis of serum PFOS and PFOA in male and female populations of reproductive age in Greenland, Poland and Ukraine. Overall, 2026 results of PFOS and PFOA serum concentrations (589 males, 1437 females) were obtained from the INUENDO database. HQs were calculated from the actual biomonitoring results and literature-based animal data linking toxicological outcomes and critical PFOS/PFOA serum levels. HQs for serum PFOS were calculated based on Points of Departure (PoD) at 13µgmL(-1) (cynomolgus monkeys, 183days, changes in THS and T3) and for PFOA at 7.1µgmL(-1) serum (male rats, 90days, hepatocellular necrosis, increased liver weight). Uncertainty factors were applied to reflect interspecies differences and human variability. Serum HQs were expressed as a ratio relative to the point of departure for each PFOS and PFOA. Only in the three cases of males in Greenland were there serum PFOS levels showing HQ values exceeding 1, so indicating that such serum levels may be of concern. The mean serum concentration of PFOS was significantly higher in male than in female populations. Despite significant differences between HQ profiles for PFOS and PFOA in donors from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine, the concentrations of these perfluoroalkylated compounds do not indicate a cause for concern, except for the three aforementioned cases from Greenland. This study demonstrates that the HQ approach can help to interpret human biomonitoring data and thus serve as a valuable tool in further risk assessment priority settings and may also be used as a basis for taking decisions in risk management.

Development and validation of a method for determination of selected polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners in household dust.

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) belong to group of so-called persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These compounds occur in nearly all elements of the environment, including household dust which constitutes one of a major route for human exposure. Their main adverse effects on human health are associated mainly with endocrine disruption--they interfere with thyroid function exhibit anti-androgenic action. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate analytical method for determination of BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153, and BDE-209 congeners in household dust. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Household dust was sampled in residences from Warsaw and the surrounding areas. An automated Soxhlet extraction of samples was then performed and PBDE congeners were subsequently measured in cleaned-up extracts by GC-microECD. The identity of quantified compounds was confirmed by GC/MS. RESULTS: Household dust samples were fortified at levels of 2.88, and 28.8 ng g(-1) for BDE-47, BDE-999, and BDE-153, and for BDE-209 at levels of 101.2, and 540 ng g(-1). Recoveries ranged between 72 - 106%. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 16% for all PBDE congeners analysed. The relative error determined on the basis of multiple analyses of certified reference material ranged from 1.07 - 20.41%. The method's relative expanded uncertainty varied between 16 - 21%. CONCLUSION: The presented method was successfully validated and can be used to measure concentrations of BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153 and BDE-209 congeners in household dust.

Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and male reproductive function in Greenland, Poland and Ukraine.

Animal and a few human studies suggest that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may affect male reproductive function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if male reproductive function was associated with serum level of PBDEs. We evaluated, in a cross-sectional study, the effects of environmental exposure to BDE-47 and BDE-153 on reproductive hormones and semen quality, including markers of DNA damage and apoptosis, in 299 spouses of pregnant women from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine. Adjusted linear regression models indicated no strong associations between BDE-47 or BDE-153 exposure and markers of male semen quality or reproductive hormones. In the largest study to date we demonstrate that BDE-47 and BDE-153 exposure was not associated with altered semen characteristics or reproductive hormones, indicating that male reproductive function is not affected by the exposure level of these compounds in fertile European or Arctic populations.

Soil as a source of dioxin contamination in eggs from free-range hens on a Polish farm.

The transfer of dioxins from contaminated soil into the food chain has recently become an up-and-coming topic in the environmental policy and health-related consumer protection. Within the framework of the 2011 National Food Survey that monitored the levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in foods of animal origin, the sum of the WHO-PCDD/F/PCB-TEQ concentrations exceeding two-fold the European Union's maximum level was detected in eggs from a free-range farm (12.55 ± 2.37 pg WHOPCDD/F/PCB-TEQ/g fat). Investigations have revealed that the source of egg contamination was the backyard soil on which the hens were foraging. A follow-up study of laying hens from this farm has demonstrated the transfer of dioxins into all tested tissues (breast and leg muscles, abdominal fat), liver and ovarian follicles. The bioaccumulation of dioxins was found to be congener and tissue-dependent. The highest concentration was found in the liver, followed by the ovarian follicles, and the adipose tissue. The PCDD/F levels in the liver often were approximately two times higher from those in other materials from the same hen. The potential dioxin intakes with eggs were expressed as the percent of the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI), and the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI). The weekly intake of dioxins would be 3.5 pg WHO-TEQ/kg b.w. (24.9% TWI) for an adult and 20.3 pg WHO-TEQ/kg b.w. (145.2% TWI) for a 3-year old child. Considering a monthly consumption of such contaminated eggs, intake of dioxins would be slightly lower, but still over 100% of the PTMI for a child. The obtained results complement the knowledge on possible dioxin sources in food and are important for risk management authorities.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in cord blood from women in Poland.

The purpose of this study was to assess human exposure in the prenatal period to selected PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153) and PCBs (CB-77, CB-101, CB-118, CB-126, CB-138, CB-153, CB-170, CB-180) basing on the analysis of these compounds in cord blood. The experimental material consisted of 89 cord blood samples taken from women resident in Warsaw and its vicinity. In over 90% of all tested samples the presence of congeners CB-153, CB-138, CB-180 and BDE-47 was identified. The least frequently found were CB-126 and BDE-153, which were present at relatively low concentration levels. Among all analysed PCBs, the highest average concentrations were found in the case of congeners CB-138 (11.8 ng/g of fat) and CB-153 (43.4 ng/g of fat), whereas the lowest was in the case of CB-170 (0.4 ng/g of fat) and CB-126 (0.1 ng/g of fat). In the case of PBDEs the greatest share in the total concentration was that of the congeners BDE-47 and BDE-99, whereas the smallest share was that of the higher brominated congener BDE-153. These results suggest that human exposure to the examined compounds begins already in the period of intrauterine life. The comparison of our own results with the findings of other authors indicates that the PCBs and PBDEs levels in cord blood of women living in Poland do not differ from the respective concentrations in cord blood of other female inhabitants of Europe.